Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of Me.

-John 5:39

And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.

-Ephesians 4:11-15

Judge not, that ye be not judged.
For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

-Matthew 7:1-2

Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

-Matthew 5:15-16

For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.

-I Thessalonians 1:5

4. Above all, the study of Bible doctrine needs to be more than only a matter of our mental understanding. By God's grace, the truths of God's Word need to become our personal, heartfelt experience. God's truths, and especially God Himself, needs to be the motivational purpose and goal of our lives. The living of God's Word must be seen in the words and actions of our daily lives.

When we began our study of Bible doctrine in Chapter One of Volume One, we began by studying God. "In the beginning God" are the opening words of Scripture. Now that we conclude our study of Bible doctrine in Chapter Thirty of Volume Three, we also end with God. God is the heart's desire, the deepest longing, the heaven in heaven, of the true Christian. The Bible closes by saying, "Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen."

Is it also your desire to know, love, obey, serve, praise, and enjoy God, in and through the grace of Jesus Christ, forever? Or is your life's purpose and goal no larger than yourself? Those who desire to die the death of the righteous must live the life of the righteous. Those who claim Jesus Christ as their Savior must reveal the fruits of obedience to Him as their King. Does your life reveal this?

God's ultimate work of grace is to restore sinners into communion and fellowship with Himself through Jesus Christ. Will you spend eternity experiencing this unfathomable depth of love, or will you experience His unfathomable wrath against those who reject it?

You cannot save yourself. Only God can save you. Therefore use His means of grace and ask Him for it. His grace is greater than your sin. Salvation is possible in and through Jesus Christ.

"But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His Name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God" (John 1:12-13).