Imagine that your neighbour’s husband or wife was serving overseas with the military. Now, also imagine that your neighbour did not read emails, or open letters that came from their spouse. Christmas cards and birthday cards were being left unread, too. To top it off, what if phone calls were going unanswered?
You might conclude or suspect that there was something wrong with that marriage. It is the same thing with Christians who do not read the Bible. Something is missing, and there is no way to disguise it.
Why should you read the Bible? Is it an obligation? Is it a pleasure? Or, is reading the Bible a sign of your spiritual maturity? Reading the Bible is all of the above. But, fundamentally, to love God is to love His Word.
Jesus often taught with parables and stories. Many apply in this instance. If your father were incredibly rich, would you attend the reading of the will? Of course you would! You would want to know what your father left you in his will. Wouldn’t you? The Bible says that we are co-heirs, joint inheritors, with Christ.
If it is anything else, the Bible is a legal document that explains what you have inherited from your Father in Heaven. We inherit these things by faith in Jesus Christ, who was made flesh, and who died for our sins. Jesus rose again, and is at the right hand of the Father. That is what the Bible says.
The Bible is not a story about people who came, lived and died a long time ago. The Bible is about YOU. The Bible contains God’s purpose, and His plan for YOU. The Bible openly makes promises to you. If you are born again, then you know that your faith has been counted onto you as righteousness.
The Bible is personal. It pertains to you. If you love God, don’t you want to know what He thinks? If you love God, don’t you want to know how to please Him?
We want to encourage you to start reading the Bible today, and a little bit every day at the very least. To start you off, here are some things to watch for as you read:
1. (Genesis 3:22-24, 1 Corinthians 15:22, Romans 7:18, Galatians 5:19-21) Understand your culpability: You are guilty of having sinned against God, deserving of punishment, unworthy of consideration except by virtue of the sinless life and death of Jesus Christ. The only way to avoid your just punishment is to repent and trust the Lord.
2. (Hebrews 11:5-6) “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” You please God by believing in Him and trusting Him.
3. (John 3:16) “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Understand that God wants good things for you.
4. (Romans 8:17) “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.” Understand your legal standing: You are a child of the King. We are co-heirs with Jesus.
5. (John 10:10) Understand that you have an enemy. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.” Also read (I Peter 5:8-9)
6. (Jeremiah 31:33) “But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” Understand that God can put His law in our hearts.
7. (John 14:15-18) “I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.” Jesus did not leave us alone, and God has has not left us friendless.
8. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” Your life is not your own.
9. (Romans 8:28) “ And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” God has a plan to use even your failures and missteps. But, you have to try.
Imagine that you were put on trial for crimes and you were found guilty. The penalty for such crimes, once the charges have been read, once the evidence has been given, and once the law has been clearly stated, is death. If someone explained that you can avoid the sentence, would you want to know more? If someone were willing to take your punishment for you, how would you feel? Would you take a moment to talk to that person? Would you be grateful?
The Bible is a lease signed by God that explains what you have the right to expect, but it also describes what is expected of you. There is not a document in the world more personal and pertinent to you. There is no document that is more peculiar to you – nor will there ever be.
If you are not reading this book, the Bible, then something is missing. You are like your neighbour who claims to love a spouse, but cannot be bothered to read mail and email messages that come from overseas.
But, God is waiting for you. Christ is waiting for you. Christ is the good shepherd who will pursue you. Luke 15:7 says that there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance. Pick up that book and read about yourself in its pages. That is how to read it. God had this story written for you before you were born, and he means for you to know so many things.
Pick it up today, even if you also go to church. Pick it up especially if that is all you are doing – going to church. Read it to find out who you are in Christ. You are a sinner in desperate need of salvation. Who is Christ to you? He is your savior. Find out first hand what your pastor has been telling you in church.
Did you already knew the answer to the question we have posed: Why Christians Should Read The Bible? If you did, you are blessed, and you have knowledge that can be used to bless others. Share it.
You cannot grow any other way.
