The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1917-12-27


- contrary they find
the Bible very
embarrassing book. and though the.
read II occasionally; II is not because
they enjoy II, but rather from sense
~ duty. Is Il possible for anyone to real
~ enjoy the Bible so that they will
prefer this book above all others? Sure
~ II Is, and any one who will accept
the following suggestions will soon
find the Bible has become the most
precious Of all books.
In order to enjoy the Bible one needs
TO be born again. The various books
Of the Bible were written by godly
men, and for the use of godly people.
While Its stories are always interest
Ing to children, and Its sublime senti.
ments and literary beauty appeal to
all classes, still the book as u whole
does not interest ungodly people, part
ly because II Is "a constant rebuke to
thefs, and partly because 1t Is ad-
dressed chiefly to those who love God.
A person who has not been born again
does not enjoy spiritual things, be-
cause he has not spiritual nature. As
soon as he accept Christ. however, he
becomes a partaker of the divine ma
ture. and at once the Bible becomes a
necessity to him. II answers his ques-
tiDns and satisfies the cravings Of his
new spiritual nature.
Sign OF the New Heart.
One Of the first and surest signs OF
new heart is IA relish for the Bible.
This Is what the Apostle Peter refers
10 when he says. AS newborn babes
desire ye the sincere milk OF the word
hat We may grow thereby" A book
ou lodge matters can hardly be ex-
pccted Ia interest one who does not
belong Ia that particular order. neither
Is a r,.ilway guide very attractive to
one who Does not desire to travel. Let
n man Join the lodge. however. and at
once ne Is Interested tn learn all he
can about the order. So II he Is plan
ming trip 10 Europe he finds great
pleasure In reading Baedeker's Guide,
because II describes the countries
where he IL going. For the same rea-
son the Bible is interesting to Chris
tian because IL Is II series of letters
addressed to him personally by his
Heavenly Father. describing the coun-
try where he is going. and giving full
directions as to how to reach 1t.
Another condition requisite for en-
loving the Bible is that we recognize
the real object Of life. which Is To be-
come acquainted with God. "And this
is life eternal that they should know
thee. the only true God. and Jesus
Christ whom thou hast seen" (JOhn
l7:0. II the real object OF ones life
is to know God, the Bible ut once be-
reveals Gods character and purpose as
no other book does. David's opinion of
IL Is expressed In the words, Thy
Word is lamp unto my feet and n
light unto my path" and Gods esti-
mate Of II is given In his injunction to
Joshua, "This book Of the law shall
not depart out Of thy mouth. but thou
shall mediate therein day and night"
Revelation Ia progressive and neces-
sarlly slow. II has taken God many
centuries to reveal to the race what
Is contained In the Bible, because sin
has so blinded our vision that we are
slow TO apprehend spiritual truth.
Furthermore. the Bible has to be re-
..o,t,l a., ,a,h h,p,a, haing cana ro talv
as II there were no other person In
existence. Since the Bible Is the prin-
cipal means by which God reveals his
character and purpose. II Is evident
that our acquaintance with him, which
begun nj our conversion, will progress
Just In proportion to our study and
practice Of the word Of God.
Know Your Bible.
IL we neglect the Bible. We shall
never know God intimately. and We
shall always be weak and inefficient
Christians. II, however. we search
the Scriptures diligently. we shall find
II most fascinating study. and as our
acquaintance with God increases we
Will grow in grace and spiritual power.
"rhe people that do know their God
shall be strong, and still do exploits.
dan. III 81
The reason why the Bible has Q
personal interest for each Of us Is that
II is Gods mouthpiece and medium Of
with the people Of all
ages. For instance, when God saw
men forsaking him to pursue their own
evils, he cried out through his prophet,
Let the wicked forsake his way, and
the unrighteous man his thoughts. and
let him return unto the Lord. and he
will have mercy upon him." That
message was not limited to the people
Of Isaiah's time only. but II represents