Ever wonder what it takes to be a Bible student?

I mean to become someone who can crack open the New Testament and grow in faith and understanding?

Someone who can crawl through the Old Testament and feel his spirit rise?

If so, then you probably need to know that there are certain stipulations to being a bible student.

Here are five. Take a look and see how you measure up:

1. Are you born again? Do you have the mind of Christ? Are you spiritual? 

2. Do you long for the Word of God so you can grow in your salvation? 

3. Do you long to examine the Scriptures to see what your pastor says is true? 

4. Are you striving to be holy? 

5. Are you filled with the Holy Spirit? 

Naturally, the first question is the most important.

Why? If you’ve never invited Jesus Christ to be your personal Lord and savior of your life, then Satan’s blinded your mind to God’s truth.

See, you can read the Bible. Study it. Discuss it.

You might even be able to articulate atonement, predestination and the life, death and resurrection of Jesus in a meaningful way.

But one thing you can’t do: Embrace Jesus Christ as the redeemer of sinful mankind who bore God’s wrath for your sin.

So, while a study of the Bible might inform your mind, it will never descend into a transformation of your heart. Thus, you resist the simple, unapologetic truth of the Bible and never become a true student of it.

If you fall into this category, Christ is your need. He is your only hope. And not only for a fruitful Bible study. But for a divine rescue operation.

Confess your sins to God and ask him to forgive you right now. Once you do, the beautiful story of redemptive history found in the Bible will unfold for you.

And that’s a promise.