Jan 25

2 Corinthians 13:8
Memorise 2 Corinthians 13:8
“Will you stand for God’s Truth?”

During the Dark Ages of Christianity from the 10th to the 15th Century, the Bible was not made available to the common people in their common language. As a result, believers could only rely on what the leaders of the Roman Catholic Church told them and this led to rampant unchecked false teachings and practices. The onset of the Renaissance Age encouraged the study of the Scriptures in its original languages of Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic. The in-depth study of God’s Word opened the eyes of God’s people and lit the flame which started the Protestant Reformation. Many great men such as John Wycliffe and William Tyndale risked their lives to translate the Bible into the English language so that God’s Word could be accessible to the laymen. Tyndale was martyred for his work and before he was strangled to death and burnt, he prayed, “O Lord, open the King of England’s eyes.” Indeed, Tyndale’s prayer was answered and shortly after, King Henry VIII allowed the printing of the first legal English Bible. In the year 1604, King James I authorised the reformers to produce a new translation of the English Bible. It was to be the official Bible to be placed in all chuches throughout England, and thus no effort was spared in ensuring that the best people and resources were given to the work. Finally, in 1611, the King James Bible was published and has stood the test of time for over 400 years.

Truly, God’s truth will always stand. Satan may do all that he can to try hide God’s Word from the people, but realise that ‘we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth’ (2 Corinthians 13:8). Despite Satan’s best efforts to prevent God’s Word from being given to the common man, he failed, and we all have God’s Word translated into a language we can understand!

Realise that God has now made it possible for you to study His Word for yourself. Do you avail yourself of this God-given opportunity, or do you take it for granted? Are you one of those in church services who closes his Bible once the Scripture reading is done and does not refer to the Bible at all throughout the sermon? Are you one of those who prefers reading Christian books and devotionals, such as this guide, to meditation on the Word itself? Such over-reliance on the words of men is not only potentially risky; it is better to read God’s Word yourself.

Thought: Do I prefer to read Christian books or the Bible?

Prayer: Dear Lord, grant me diligence to study Thy Word for myself.