"How Readest Thou?"
"And behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life ? He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?" (Luke 10:25, 26.) Words are written to be read, whether they form a sentence, or fill a large book. The art of reading is a blessing to any person who uses it for a good purpose. The Bible was written that men might read it and profit thereby. Paul says: "(As I wrote afore in few words, whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ.)" Again we are told: "(Whoso readeth, let him understand.)" (Matt. 24:15.)
The Purpose Of Reading
Two men retired for the night: one of them arose from the bed turned on the light, picked up a Testament and read a few lines. After which he closed the book and put it away, turned off the light and went back to bed His companion inquired as to what he was doing, and he replied "I was doing my daily Bible reading." Then his companion asked: "what did you read?" His answer was, "I don't know." What was the purpose of his reading? To learn? No. It was only to be counted as a Daily Bible reader in Sunday School.
Some read for entertainment while passing away the time, others read in order to impress others, and others read in order to learn. The purpose that people have for reading the Bible varies much. Some seem to read that they might be able to argue about it, others to prove their doctrine, while others may read it to be seen of men. I have heard some admit that they read it for its literary value; the right purpose is that we might understand what the will of the Lord is so that we might obey it. When a person reads to justify his sins; he has missed the mark. But, when he reads that he might understand the will of the Lord, and conforms his life to the same; that person shall be saved by his reading. The Lord's question is very appropriate at this time — "How readest thou?"
On Marriage And Divorce?
How readest thou on marriage and divorce? "What is written in the law?" that is, the law of Christ? Do we read it lightly not taking it to heart? Do we read in unbelief? or do we read it at all? From the condition of things, some do not read it. A young woman called me, and asked if I would perform a wedding ceremony for her and a young man. She stated that she was a member of the church, and in answer to a question she further stated that she had been divorced without scriptural reason. When I asked her if she knew what the scripture says on the subject, she replied that she did and hung up the receiver.
Fathers and mothers how do you read it? Do you read it to your children? Young people how do you read it? Are you reading to understand? How does it read? "Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery." (Matt. 19:9.) How can anyone read this and put his wife away for burning the biscuits? The Lord made only one exception, and "Whoso readeth, let him understand."
On Giving
What is written in the scripture concerning giving?"How readest thou?" Does it say "give a quarter"? or a "dollar"? Does it leave it up to each of us to decide whether or not we are to give? or does the scripture tell us to give? "How readest thou?" "Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him." (1 Cor. 1,2) The law says that we are to give according to our prosperity. If a dollar is in keeping with our income we should give a dollar, but when our income increases we are to increase our giving accordingly. "How readest thou?" How can any man read this and fail to give? Yet, I have been told of some doing this very thing. How can others read this and give a quarter? How can prosperous men read this and give only a dollar? This was written that we might understand. "Whoso readeth, let him understand."
On Forgiveness
Once upon a time, an old colored woman was asked concerning her health, whereupon she replied: "I'm enjoying bad health." Often we see people carrying around a grudge against some one as though they were enjoying it. However, I doubt that it is possible to enjoy a grudge. An offended soul some times finds it hard to forgive, yet, when they do they find that it brings happiness. There are those who insist that they can't forgive certain ones who have mistreated them. "How readest thou?" The scripture says: "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." (Matt. 6:14, 15.) There is not but one right way to read this, and if we want our heavenly Father to forgive us, then, we must read it aright, and forgive others.
On Baptism
We have some strange reading on the subject of baptism. There are those who can read sprinkling, pouring, and immersion from the same word. There are others who claim that they cannot find any water in baptism — they read it dry. Some can read all that the Bible says about baptism and not find where it is commanded. What the Bible says to one about baptism it says to all, and if we don't all read it alike, someone is misreading it.
What is written in the scripture? "How readest thou?" "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved." (Mark 16:15, 16.) Again we read: "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2:38.) "And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins." (Acts 22:16.) "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." (Rom. 6:3,4.) Once more we read: "The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God)' by the resurrection of Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 3:21.) What the Lord says in the above scriptures he says to all; they mean the same thing to all, whether we are willing to admit it or not. The Bible will read the same way in the judgment as it reads now. If because of prejudice we refuse to obey the command to be baptized, and thereby reject the promise of salvation contained therein, it will be our fault that we are lost. "Whoso readeth, let him understand." "How readest thou?"