Introduction
Our ability to learn from the scriptures throughout life depends on our diligence in studying the scriptures and our readiness in applying those lessons when we need to. It is this constant effort to seek out God’s will while facing the trials and tribulations of our lives that makes it possible for us to keep learning despite adversity. God has provided the answers for us if we know where to look - His Word (Jam. 1:21). Therefore, we can be ready to apply God’s Word to support us in our Christian journey.
Stop Comparing
One of the most frustrating situations that Christians, especially new Christians, can encounter is the feeling that they are far behind everyone else in terms of Bible knowledge and application. If you find yourself in this situation, you must realise that where you are when you begin your walk with Christ does not really matter that much. That is because everyone must begin somewhere. It is more important that you recognise the value in beginning and persevering than worrying about how much you must learn. The biggest mistake you can make is comparing yourself with everyone else’s progress instead of focusing on your own. Christianity is not a competition. Christians should always be learning, and it does not matter how long you have obeyed the gospel.
Know Yourself
To determine the best pace of learning for yourself, you must know your own strengths and weaknesses. Some people learn well in the classroom, others do better with a one-to-one Bible study. Some learn better by listening to a recording of the lesson repeatedly, others do better by pre-studying before a lesson. Regardless of what your strengths and weaknesses may be, you need to be honest with yourself about them. Play to your strengths and compensate for your weaknesses in understanding through continual Bible study (1 Tim. 4:13). As you continue to learn and grow, you can feel the joy in drawing closer to God (Jam. 4:8), but you must not allow this to plateau and turn into pride. Instead, it is the time to press forward and use that momentum to move forward with even greater confidence and achieve new spiritual goals.
“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 3:13-14)
Beware and Be Prepared
As Christians, our goal should never be simply to get through life, it should be to get to heaven.
To prepare for heaven, we need to accept that throughout our lives, there will always be something to learn and something in our attitude or behaviour to change. When you first became a Christian, the teaching on repentance should have provoked in you a desire to change certain things about your life. However, as time passes, it can be easy to lose that enthusiasm and simply settle into whatever spiritual level you reached. Christianity is a taught religion and there is a need to constantly grow (2 Pe 1:5-8). If we become complacent and not make our election sure, we may fall (2 Pe 1:10) because the devil is our adversary and we will be giving him an opportunity to attack us. We must always see sin as the forerunner of spiritual death (Jam. 1:15) or we will simply accept its presence in our lives. The longer you go between addressing the sins in your life, the easier it will become for pride to set in and mislead you into accepting sinful attitudes and behaviours as "okay" instead of repenting. You must not allow this ungodly attitude (pride) to jeopardise your efforts. As you live, you must continue to learn and continue to change to be more like Christ. Be prepared to grow spiritually, persevere and to reach our goal which is heaven. As Paul who laboured much, suffered and persevered for the Lord’s sake said “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” (2Ti 4:7-8)
Concluding Thoughts
Do not yield to the temptation to accept only passive Bible study but instead embrace an active role in your spiritual growth (2 Pet. 3:17-18). This means that we need to constantly feed our souls with the word of God (1 Pet. 2:2). It takes great commitment on our parts as individuals to persevere in diligent Bible study. The earlier we start, the more we can learn and the easier it will become.