SCRIPTURE AND THE COMPANY OF CHRIST

M. W. Biggs

It recently occurred to me with great force that I should not require my Bible in heaven. ‘Of course not’, you say, ‘you will then be in the company of Christ and in the enjoyment of that which ministry or the Scriptures tell you is yours’. Exactly! May we not in our measure experience this now? To be sure we may! I read my Bible, and while doing so I may turn to Him of whom it speaks. I find myself in His company. Holy, blessed joy! I place my book or my Bible down and enjoy Himself, His company. As another long ago said—

There lie my books—for all I sought

My heart possesses now;

The words are sweet that tell Thy love,

The love itself art Thou.

One line I read—and then no more—

I close the book to see

No more the symbol and the sign,

But Christ revealed to me!

We may well read our Bibles with diligence and care; but let us not linger in the avenues of the terms of the truth, but reach Himself who is the truth; let us not be content with reading about Him, but enjoy His company!

(From ‘The Believer’s Friend’, 1932, p.101)