A Good Bearean

If I'm being honest, I have to admit that throughout my walk with the Lord, the exhortation and example of the Bereans has always been a struggle for me.  In Acts 17:11 Paul describes them in this way, "Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true." I can tell you now that if I was sitting under the Apostle Paul's teaching the chances that I would "check" the Scriptures to verify that He truly was speaking Truth are probably slim.  And although Paul was speaking Truth, I marvel at their boldness.  I have always tended to lean on the words written or spoken by trusted individuals, whether it be my pastor, or a pastor I highly respect, my dad, or now my husband, or some author from the past or present who has proven their character.  Although this is not necessarily a bad thing in and of itself, especially because God has given us men and women who are farther along in the faith then we are to encourage and teach us, it poses a threat to our own spiritual growth and development.  The Bereans weren't examining the Scriptures looking for some fault in the message of Paul, they were simply being obedient students of the Word, and allowing the Word of God to be the final authority in their life.  A good example for us to follow indeed.


Recently, I have challenged myself to be more of a Berean, a better student of the Word.  In doing this I have reaped rich benefits.  And although I am still a student of many who are solid in the faith, I have vowed to make the authority of Scripture, and the Word of God, be the final authority in my life.  This may sound arrogant, but believe me, it is far from that.  I do not think I have the power to interpret the Scripture better than someone like John MacArthur, but I do believe that the Spirit of God will build upon the words I read or hear from men like John MacArthur with the Word of God, which is the foundation of what we believe.  It IS the Truth, and it is living and active.  


I am fully dependent on the Word of God to change my life and although I am beyond grateful for the men and women of past and present, I am certain that it is through the Word of God spoken or read that my life will continue to become more and more conformed to the Son of God.


So I challenge each of you, be a good Berean, examine the Word, be a student, don't take everything you read as the Gospel Truth, but rather test it to make sure it is what God has said and not what man believes it to say.