Q: I have a question about John 5:39: “You search the scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of me.” What is the point of searching the scriptures, can we really understand what they teach?
Dear Lynette,
A: Thank you for your question, it is one that many are asking. A little girl was helping her mother dust furniture when she saw a book on the coffee table. The young girl asked her mother, “Mommy, whose book is this?” Her Mother answered, “Honey, it is God’s book”. Then her daughter replied, “why don’t we give it back to Him nobody reads it around here?” Most of us have at least one Bible in our home and in many cases three to five.
“You search the scriptures…” Here Christ is talking to the religious leaders of His day. They bragged about reading the scriptures, but they were not willing to come to Him that they may have life eternal. The point is this, when you search the scriptures, you meet Christ. Through the inspired Word, you meet the incarnate Word, Jesus Christ. From Genesis the first book of the Bible, to Revelation the last book of the Bible, we find the Gospel theme of God’s loving plan to restore fallen man to Himself. This story of redemption can be understood by ALL. You do not need to have a seminary degree or special theological training. God is raising up a people of all ages and from all cultures, who will search the scriptures and make a stand for Him, even if it is not popular. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” 2 Timothy 3:16,17. We should begin all Bible reading with prayer. As we read God’s word each day, He will give us understanding and it will transform our lives forever. We read in Psalm 119:105: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path”.
Have a Bible question? Send it to Jeff and Beverly Lawson at: laymanscornerqa@gmail.com
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