Search the Scriptures

         You may have used the term, “the last resort” in your life and one time or another. The dictionary defines “the last resort” as “something done only if nothing else works.” The origination of the phrase probably came from a “French language phrase.” We get the idea of its meaning and it usually implies turning to something that is the last possible choice of things to do or to try. It is as if all other routes have failed and there is just one more thing to try and so it is called the “last resort.” There are some who are willing to try the “last resort” before they have tried everything else. This is especially true in the study of God's Word. I have a large library for a country boy and it contains a lot of books that are labeled as “commentaries.” The books contain the comments of various authors as to the meaning of a particular passage of Scripture. For me, they serve the purpose of being “the last resort.” The sad thing about commentaries is that you can almost find any opinion on a passage from the Bible. They are still the comments of an author and not inspired in and of themselves. Some people will believe anything while others have a completely different method to find out what the Bible is saying. Acts 17:11 says, “ 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.”

        The group of people mentioned in this verse were from the town of Berea. When Paul came to speak with them, they in turn, searched the scriptures to find out if what he was saying was true or not. This is a practice that we often neglect when a gifted speaker comes to speak at your local church. We think that If it sounds good, then it must be true. The Bereans would search the Scriptures, which in this case were found in the Old Testament and they substantiated what Paul said by looking at the Scriptures themselves. We should learn the lesson of the Bereans. Some have the tendency to skip this part and go immediately to the last resort which are the shelves lined with commentaries to find out what other people have said about the passage. Once you start following the principles of “Bible Study” you find that there are some practices that are very important in you finding out what God's Word is saying. It is basically being immersed in the Scriptures in every way possible and cross referencing what the passage is saying. Scripture always defines Scripture. The shelves of commentaries are and should always be your “last resort.” The input of the Bible is far more important than what another person thinks it says. As always, the final conclusion is based upon a steady intake of the Scriptures. Your commentaries, and notes by such men as Scofield, Ryrie, Thompson, MacArthur, Calvin and others are still just notes from men and don't even come close to the value of the writers of the Bible who were inspired by the Holy Spirit. Matthew Henry is great, but the Gospel of Matthew is better. John Calvin was great but the Gospel of John is better. Praise God for His Word which has the answer to life's questions.