Place a frog in boiling water, and it will quickly jump out, fully aware of the dangerous environment. Place a frog in a kettle of tap water and slowly increase the temperature to the boiling point. The frog will stay in the water until it boils to death.
America was founded on the principles of the Bible. Our early leaders and citizens read, believed, loved, and reverenced God’s Word. Today, less than half of Americans read the Bible once a week. Of those who do, less than ten minutes a day is spent in study. Is it any wonder that Bible knowledge is lacking?
Our environment (culture) affects us more than we might think. We are in a lukewarm kettle that may boil us to death! Our time is too little occupied with Matthew, Mark, Peter, and Paul, and too often occupied with TV, cartoons, Oprah, and ball. How can we keep from becoming like the frog?
We must recognize the value of a good working knowledge of the Bible. The Bible is the only book which can tell our past, present, and future. We were created in the image of a loving God (Gen. 1:27); our purpose in life is to praise Him (1 Pet. 2:9); and our future can be heaven with Him (Jn. 14:1, 2). The only way to become a child of God is to learn the Bible’s teachings (Jn. 6:44,45). No other book contains the way of salvation (Jn. 14:6), hope in death (1 Pet. 1:3), or the road to heaven (Mt. 7:13, 14). Studying is the only way to become what God wants us to be. Christians become strong by study (Acts 20:32) and, conversely, weak without it (Rm. 10:17). Those with weak faith make easy prey for the devil (Eph. 6:16).
We must not be satisfied with the status quo. We must be diligent to learn all we can (2 Tim. 2:15). We might say, “Well, I know as much as the average person.” We should not soothe ourselves by comparing ourselves with others—but with what God wants us to be. Paul wrote, “For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves by themselves; but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise” (2 Cor. 10:12). Let’s be like the sponge that is always thirsty, and unlike the camel who may goes days without a drink.
We must count the cost and be willing to pay the price. One remarked of his desire to know the Bible like a certain Gospel preacher: “I would give my life to know the Bible like he does.” To which was replied, “That is exactly the price he paid.” We must do more than wish, we must work. We must do more than desire; we must dig. We must do more than meddle; we must meditate and master. We must do more than read, we must remember. The Bereans were commended because they searched the Scriptures daily (Acts 17:11), and David delighted in the word day and night (Psa. 1:2). If one expects to grow, he must feed on the “sincere milk of the word” (1 Pet. 2:2). Just as a man with no appetite is physically unhealthy, so the man with no hunger for sacred knowledge is spiritually sick (Mt. 5:6). We become concerned if a loved one loses his appetite; just so, we should exercise even greater care if the spiritual man never hungers.
Why not make a resolution to make reading God’s Word a daily part of your life? Don’t be like the frog!
