For it is not a vain thing for you; because it is your life: and through this thing ye shall prolong your days in the land, whither ye go over Jordan to possess it.
These are the words of Moses to the people of Israel in the plains of Moab before they were to enter into the promised land; before Moses was to die. He had just finished repeated all the law of God and the words of God to the people of Israel. And he said, “Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you this day, which ye shall command your children to observe to do, all the words of this law.”
Setting our hearts upon the Word of God is what is not a vain thing. Setting our hearts upon the Word of God is our life. More and more I see that this is true. Brother Lester Roloff said that he read the bible through once a year on his knees. Brother Don Green said that he had read through the bible some 169 times. I want to encourage my brothers and sisters in the Lord to read the bible; and not just any bible. Get yourself an old King James bible. There’s no other bible that’s got the power of God on it like that one.
On a side note, I’ve been preaching out of Romans now for several years. I’ve been well over a year in chapter 8. And I found this out the other day. Romans 8:1 in the King James reads:
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Apparently, most all other translations leave out the expression who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. After a year of preaching out of Romans 8, I find this appalling and very much disappointing. I can see now that without that part of the verse, the great truths regarding a saint’s struggle between the flesh and the Spirit are severely obfuscated. I saw awhile back that there is indeed condemnation in a Christian’s life if he continues to walk after the flesh. I know that sounds odd; but the key to that verse is but after the Spirit. If you are interested, read this message, The Spirit Filled Life. There I go into better detail regarding the typology of Egypt, the Wilderness, and the Promised Land; and I explain this truth regarding condemnation.
So, much of my preaching on Romans 8 is based on that outlook. It’s based on the fact that God does chastise his children, and there is going to be a judgement seat of Christ where we all must give an account. Not having that second part of that verse really takes the wind out of that doctrine. My point is that it does matter what bible you read. I want to encourage you to read the bible… but the right bible.
I truly believe in reading the bible. I believe spiritual, eternal, heavenly things happen in our inward part while the pages of that blessed book are turned and the words uttered. “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17) If bible reading has been a struggle for you, I want to encourage you to not give up. Take it up again. Do it again. Keep picking it up until you can’t put it down. Make it your life. I know some people will tell you (or you might even be telling you) that it’s legalistic and vain to do so. They tell you this because they’ve failed and quit trying. I want to tell you that of course you are going to fail but don’t quit trying.
Whether it is your bible reading, your prayer life, your church attendance, your giving, your witnessing… Don’t quit trying. “For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again.” (Proverbs 24:16)