Death and destruction
The processes of sin ends in death and destruction. In English literature there are several famous examples that illustrate this point. The first is the story called:Wuthering Heights written by Emily Bronte:
The character of Heathcliff is an interesting person to look at. As a manipulator who usurps both Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange, Heathcliff also suffers extreme mental distress over the death of his beloved Catherine and his realization that those he sought to ruin are living on through their children who fall in love despite his best efforts to make them hate each other. Indirectly he tried to commits suicide, but had to give up; his death is an example of the end point of the process of sin. He could not deal with his guilt and all that came with.Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolfit
Please consider the character of Septimus Smith who has returned to England after the First World War, broken by Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Mentally unstable he saw the ghosts of dead friends on London streets, Smith eventually jumps out a window and impales himself on a gate in an effort trying to escape to be placed in an insane asylum. While this is a more sympathetic character than Heathcliff, Smith's suicide is directly tied to the lives he took during First World War. His inability to grapple with the guilt he feels, he could not handle the process of sin in his life.Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
The title character was confronted by his friend Basil Hallward about the increasingly disturbing rumours that have begun circulating over Dorian Gray's behaviour. During the course of the conversation, Gray reveals his picture to Hallward, the very same picture Hallward had painted many years ago. However this picture had changed to reflect the condition of Gray's wicked soul, even as the subject himself remained flawless, young, and beautiful. Shortly afterwards, Gray stabs Hallward and killed the artist, and later did blackmail on a former friend to help dispose of the body. Hallward's death preyed on Gray's conscience, and in an effort to destroy both his conscience and what Gray terms "evidence" of his deeds (both the murder of Hallward, as well as other unnamed sins) Gray stabs the picture. By doing so he killed himself. His servants found the dead body with a knife in the heart bearing all the decay previously transferred to the picture, while the picture itself had changed and became whole was back to the stage when Hallward originally painted it. This novel incorporates the character unable to grapple with his actions and the subsequent guilt.Guilt - a universal problem
Most of the world’s populations don’t know how to get rid of the guilt. Christians on the other hand find this assurance in the Bible, and is acquired though systematic study as opposed to random reading of the Word. Jesus said: “You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you'' (John 15:3).The Word of God has a cleansing effect upon the believer. Jesus prayed: “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth (John 17: 17). The Word of God is effective and one of the effects to the serious student is the cleansing effect.
Ever try to carry water in a wicker basket? It can not be done. The water will run through the basket and will not remain in the basket. When the water passes though the basket, the material of the basket will become clean because of the flowing water. The word of God works very much in the same way. If the Christian will allow the Word of God to pass through his mind, that act will cause the faith to be clean.
A Christian is a Christian because he has accepted what Christ did for him on the cross. How do we know that our sins are forgiven? The Bible says that if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)
Encouragement through the Bible study
Through the Word of God, you will know that Jesus did clean you from all sin! A young Christian, beginner and old-timer, needs to know what sin is and what isn't. You are not left to your own judgment. The Bible says: “How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word” (Psalm l19: 1)Studying the Bible will clean you from sin, and it will be warning you of sin.
An insightful saying, puts it this way. “This book will keep you from sin or sin will keep you from this book”. (not original from me,)
Joy in your life
Another benefit from studying the Bible (in opposition to reading), is the joy it brings. The Christian life should be joyful. Notice that I did not say without problems because at times joy is quelled, crushed, or ended by force from the problems encountered. Then we learn this is a life, not a struggle. Jesus said: “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. (John 15:11)”If you pay attention to the writings of men or pay much attention to the problems surround you, joy will turn to fear, dread or sometimes depression.
Sometimes in the past, during hard times I paid more attention to CNN, The Daily Star, the wall Street journal, and other news sources, and from other points of view than I did the Bible, and I became depressed.
After undertaking the Bible I realized several things. I was paying attention to the wrong things. Remember good news, even it does not sell newspapers. Remember The Word of God that puts joy in your heart, regardless of the circumstances. Once you get into it, you will find that the Bible thousands of years ago recorded what will happen now, and in the future.
The god of this world is a supernatural evil. This evil sets out to fight the peace of the Christians. Studying the Word of God will teach you under no uncertain terms, the peace that God has intended for you.
Once you have received Christ as your Saviour and Lord you have become different, and your surroundings will see the difference.
You will change positivly
When the Holy Spirit lives in your life, you will be different. Before, you were controlled by the god of this world, the evil supernatural spirit. Now God of the universe is in control of your life. This is a big difference.I would like to remind you that it isn’t you who controls your life. It is either God or the devil. You cannot be natural, and think you have control, because you do not. One difference you will notice due to the change of ownership of your mind is the emotions. Your emotions will be characterized by peace in the middle of difficulties.
But for this to happen, the Word of God must dwell in your mind by reading and study. (Psalm 1)
Jesus Christ said: "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33). Jesus said these words just before He was hang on the cross. He wanted His disciples to have these words as they faced this impending crisis; He gave them peace through these words.
Be stronger through the Bible study
God said: "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. (Col. 3: 15).Nothing comes automatic to you. Christians are not born with silver spoons in their mouths. Peace is gained through tilling our mind with the promises, principles and faithfulness of God as taught in His Word. And nobody will gain this without study of the Bible. God wants to flood our heart with peace through our daily studying of His Word.
The Scripture say: "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." (Psalm 119: 105).
Situational ethics?
Situational ethics is a particular view of moral ethics that basically holds that the morality of an act is determined right or wrong by the function of the choice. Situational ethics states that if there is a right and wrong way, it is merely determined by the desired outcome of the situation. Situational ethics is different from moral relativism. The moral relativism states that there is no right or wrong. Situational ethics envelopes a code of ethics, in which meeting the needs of each situation determines what is right or wrong."Situational Ethics" is wrong approach to life because it produces harm. It is far better programming the Biblical principles in to your mind in advance. When the crisis comes, the pressure of life close in on you, your emotions become mixed up in your mind, you now have a healthy foundation to make a sound decision and you know what to do.
As the Lord himself said: "He replied, Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it." (Luke l 1:28). If you had not heard it, how can you keep it? You learn it through studying the Bible on a daily basis.
Share your faith with others
Most people you meet in life have been as ignorant of the Biblical truth as you once were. Many common questions and doubts will be resolved by someone guiding you first though the Bible. A challenge from God: "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." (1 peter 3:15).It has been said that “The only way you will be able to answer the questioner, scorner, or sincere seeker of truth, is to be ready always to answer them by daily reading and studying the Word”.
During the first third of my adult life I spent traveling the world for my Employer, in Asia and in the Middle East. I met and talked to thousands of not Christian People. I had three college degrees and one in Theology. Guess what! I had no systematic study of the Bible in my life. When I am looking back, I realize I was not being controlled by the Holy Spirit. Yes, I know much about the Bible. But I did not know the Bible. Even worse, I did not know how to share my faith. Once I got on a program for Bible reading, studying and learning I discovered that my mind became filled with the Word of God. I experienced that I was able to share the truth from the Bible. Before I started studying the Bible I just didn't know what to say. You cannot communicate a message you do not know. As a Christian you want to be fruitful, and effectively share the faith of Christ with others. However, this will be impossible without the knowledge from the Word of God.
Unfortunately, many Christians think they are too "busy" to refresh the mind each day in the Word of God. This takes time and effort, but is not an effortless venture. The more you put into it, the more you will get out of it.
