What It Means To Be An Berean

And the brethren immediately sent away 

Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: 

who coming thither went into the

 synagogue of the Jews. These were more

 noble than those in Thessalonica,

 in that they received the word with 

all readiness of mind, and searched the
Scriptures daily, whether those things were so. 

Therefore many of them believed;

 also of honourable women which were Greeks, 

and of men, not a few.

Acts 17:10-11 

     The title of this blog gives the answer as to why it is written as my aim is to prepare minds, minds of thinking people, those people who read and study their Bibles and this is what makes for Authentic Christians. People in today's culture, both secular and for some Christians, have succumbed so as they rely more on smooth talking people, those who are charismatic, than take the time to read and study their Bible. What has been lost is the pleasure that comes from just reading the Bible, taking time to come closer to Scripture. This study of the Bible can include writings of others, but, and this is important: do not take what is written without examining what is said or written by the pure truth of Scripture. This is what the Bereans did and so must we if we are to change from the inside/out, if we are to become Authentic Christians with Authentic Christian Faith. 

     The pleasure(s) of this world have a fleeting lifespan whereas the pleasure that comes by study of Scripture is eternal. Reading and studying the Bible brings a person closer in relationship with our Saviour Jesus Christ. This Biblical pleasure is one that is unending and is God's purpose for those who will fellowship with Him. Reading and studying God's word will make a difference in your understanding of God, your conception of God. The world's culture places great emphasis on ideal(s) but ideals far too often give over to nothing to rarely cause people to do anything. What if your conception of God is because He is Holy, Loving, Merciful, and Just that everything will be alright. In fact it causes some to do little or nothing believing that God has chosen and they have little or nothing to do with their being saved. So, why evangelize? Did not Jonah believe that everything would be alright for God who is Just and Merciful that he did not have to go to Nineveh (God would handle this problem with or without him). A problem is the conjoining of ideal with vision. Ideals may lead to ruin, whereas where there is a vision there is a life of rectitude that imparts moral incentive. Rectitude: rightness of principle, or conduct, moral virtue, righteousness, or correctness. Rectitude is only due to one coming into a close relationship with God, with His Son Jesus Christ. Our attitude springs from our vision of God. 

     Some take this word "pleasure" to allow themselves to do almost anything as it gives to them self-pleasure, even though they account those deeds as to God. True pleasure in this life, as it will in future life, is our conception of God that has come through reading of His word: "Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in they presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore" (Psalm 16:11). All the delights of this life, work, leisure, family, friends, eating, even mating, of arts and crafts, playing and watching games, or making things, and of helping others, all the good things of this life are yours and are doubled for Authentic Christians for Authentic Christians tastes all the good things of God. The displeasure that comes in this life can be handled by our conception of God, that God's word is brings joy and out of this joy there is "spin" off that not only gives a person joy, but also to others. Do you want nourishment? Well, it is there for the taking if you go where that nourishment is to be found: the Bible. 

      Here is the crux of the matter: Read, study, your Bible, not sometime, but every day, and be diligent to do what it says to do and be diligent to not do the things that is says not to do. There is where one finds an Authentic Christian. Authentic Christian Faith can only come by study, and reading and applying God's word and that can only be found if one is looking in the right place. 

Every word of God is pure:

     He is a shield unto them

that put their trust in Him.

     Add thou not unto His words,

lest He reprove thee, and thou

    be found a liar.

                    Proverbs 30:5-6

As you study read God's word: true pleasure comes

Richard L. Crumb