There is much significance in that word "study"; and only the studious find the narrow way to the Divine approval and acceptance. Study to show thyself approved—study the doctrine; study your course of conduct, to keep it in harmony with the doctrine. Study how to promote the peace and prosperity of Zion, and how to shield yourself and others from the missiles of error and from the poison of an evil, worldly spirit. Study to perform the duties of a faithful soldier of the cross—the seemingly insignificant, as well as the bravest and noblest deeds.
God's children, especially those who are teachers, should not accept with blank, unquestioning minds any opinions offered them. They are to study and test them as to their harmony or disharmony with themselves, Bible passages and doctrines, God's character and Christ's Ransom, facts and the designs of the Bible Godward, Christward, Churchward and Worldward. Only such things as are proven to be in harmony with these seven things, should the Lord's people accept. Such study, testing, is necessary, if we would be workmen approved unto God, and will result in our never having to hang our heads with the shame of defeat and controversy with gainsayers, and will enable us more and more rightly to distinguish one feature of the Word from another, giving us clear and correct views of the separate doctrines, precepts, promises, exhortations, prophecies, histories and types of the Bible, and giving us ability to use them.
Josh. 1:8; 2 Chron. 29:11; Isa. 40:9; 52:11; 57; 14; Jer. 1:7, 8, 17-19; Ezek. 2:6-8; 3:8-10, 17-21, 27; Matt. 7:6; 10:7, 11-13, 16, 25, 27, 28; 20:25-28; 28:19, 20; John 21:15-19; Acts 20:28; Rom. 12:6-8; 1 Cor. 4:1, 2; 9:16, 17; 2 Cor. 1:24; 4:1, 2, 5; 1 Tim. 1:3, 4, 11, 18, 19; 4:6, 7, 12-16; 2 Tim. 4:2, 5.
