Archives
January 2005
March 2005
April 2005
May 2005
June 2005
July 2005
August 2005
September 2005
October 2005
November 2005
December 2005
January 2006
February 2006
March 2006
April 2006
May 2006
June 2006
July 2006
August 2006
September 2006
October 2006
November 2006
December 2006
January 2007
February 2007
March 2007
April 2007
May 2007
June 2007
July 2007
August 2007
October 2007
December 2007
January 2008
|
|
Thursday, September 15, 2005
Why Read The Bible?
'"I'm a busy person with a lot to do. Why should I spend time reading the Bible? I don't have time to do all I need to do as it is."
"I already believe in Jesus Christ. I've already heard the Gospel." "Why should I read the Bible?"
The following Scriptures should answer the question.
JOHN 8:31-32 RSV31 Jesus then said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples,32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." JOSHUA 1:8 Beck 8 Don't stop reading this book of the Law, but day and night think of what it says, so you can be careful to do everything written in it; then you will prosper and succeed. ACTS 20:32 LB32 "And now I entrust you to God and his care and to his wonderful words that are able to build your faith and give you all the inheritance of those who are set apart for himself. MATTHEW 4:4 NLT 4 But Jesus told him, "No! The Scriptures say, 'People need more than bread for their life; they must feed on every word of God.' " JOHN 6:63 ICB 63 It is not the flesh that gives a person life. It is the spirit that gives life. The words I told you are spirit, and so they give life. ROMANS 15:4 CEV 4 And the Scriptures were written to teach and encourage us by giving us hope. JOHN 14:23-24 Rieu23 Jesus replied: 'If anyone loves me he will cherish my word; my Father will love him and we will come to him and make him our abode.24 He that does not love me neglects my words. Yet the word you hear is not my own but that of the Father who sent me. 2 TIMOTHY 3:16-17 NLT 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. 17 It is God's way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do. HEBREWS 4:12 NLT 12 For the word of God is full of living power. It is sharper than the sharpest knife, cutting deep into our innermost thoughts and desires. It exposes us for what we really are.
God's Word is alive! The more you expose yourself to it, the more it will expose itself to you. To know God better you must spend time hearing what He has to say. The Bible is His message to you. If you want Him to listen to what you have to say, you should also listen to what He has to say.
Although God can also speak directly to your heart, you need to know His written Word so you can judge whether God is speaking to you, or the enemy is trying to deceive you. God will not love you more because you read the Bible. It's for your benefit -- not required to make God love you. However, without reading the Bible, you will not grow spiritually, and you will be more easily deceived.
Prayerfully reading the Scriptures yourself is the only real defense against being misled. God's Word is truth (John 17:17). Don't you want to know the truth? Why waste your time on lesser, unreliable things?
Your spiritual life is important. You always have time for what you consider important. Jesus taught that God's Word is a seed (Luke 8:11). Plant the seed of God's Word in your life and you will reap blessings.
The promise of Jesus in John 8:31-32 is for you. If you continue in the Word of God, you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free!
Only those who continue in God's Word come to the place of knowing called faith. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17).
Here are some articles for further reading: The Bible Is The Word Of God God's Word Is A Seed God's Word Will Make You Free God's Word Is A Medicine
|