The Importance of Bible Study
"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Tim 2:15
Why is rightly divided bible study important? Because if we don't rightly divide, then we will put ourselves back under the law. When we are under the law, sin revives in our flesh. It is the grace of God that teaches us godliness. When we as believers put ourselves under the law we have guilt, fear and self-condemnation and end up in a cycle of sin. None of this brings forth fruit unto God.
If you don't rightly divide, you are actually putting yourself under the law.
But, when you understand rightly dividing, and that Jesus saved and then commissioned the Apostle Paul with the gospel of the grace of God, you no longer put yourself under the law but understand that we are under grace.
We are not under the Mosaic law, but the law of the “spirit of life in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:2).
"For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace." Romans 6:14
"For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death." Romans 8:2
We are saved by Gods grace through faith and we are to live by grace through faith. That's why I call my ministry "Grace Living". Remember also that grace is not a license to sin; grace is the opportunity to live by the faith of the Son of God (Galatians 2:20).
Unfortunately, many believers today might understand the first part (saved by grace through faith) but then put themselves under law at some point in time and they live with fear, guilt, condemnation and a "revival" of their sin nature to where they end up in a vicious cycle of sin, trying to keep the law in their flesh, fear/guilt/condemnation when they fail and back to sin again! They often do not learn to walk in the Spirit.
The book of Romans is foundational doctrine for the believer today. It establishes us in the doctrines of grace. Romans 1:11 says "For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;"
The basic layout of the edification process in Romans is:
Romans chapters 1-4 is about justification.
Romans chapter 5 is about eternal security
Romans chapter 6-8 is about our identity in Christ
Romans chapter 9-11 is about the dispensational changes and what God is doing today
Romans chapter 12 is about service as a believer and member of the body of Christ
Romans chapter 13 is about authority and government
Romans chapter 14 is about dealing with weaker brethren by grace
Romans chapter 15 is about oneness and glorifying God
Romans chapter 9-11 is about the dispensational changes and what God is doing today
Romans chapter 12 is about service as a believer and member of the body of Christ
Romans chapter 16 is about working in unison with fellow believers
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