Before reading this post, I suggest reading my previous post by clicking here.
This post concerns itself with three points. Three points as to why we need the Word of God. There will be two more follow up posts that will lay out the doctrines of inspiration and inerrancy. And then a fifth post that shows how the Bible, and the revelation within, is meant for our joy.
There are many reasons why Christians need to read the Bible; in fact, you would not be a Christian without the Bible. Instead of listing numerous reasons the Bible is necessary, I would like to focus on three of them and my hope is that these three points will be motivation and encouragement to read the Word of God.
Why We Should Read Our Bibles Daily
Reason #1–To Know God
It is true that God can be known merely by exhibiting nature; the Bible tells us so in Romans 1.18-20. This sort of knowledge makes sense. You may look at the mountains of the world and marvel at the might and power of God, or at the oceans and tremble at their size and depth knowing that God formed them. You may look at a sunset over the water and realize God enjoys beauty, or at a thunderstorm and realize God is powerful and deserves to be feared.
However, there are aspects of God you cannot know from nature. For example, you cannot know that God is sovereign, Psalm 103.19. You cannot know from nature that God predestines all things, Genesis 50.20, Ephesians 1. You cannot know from nature that God chooses some to everlasting life and others to condemnation, Exodus 33.19, Matthew 11.25-27, 13.11, John 6.44, Romans 8.29-30.
From nature you cannot know that God is a loving God who redeems, Exodus 14, Isaiah 43.1, 44.21-23, 1 John 4.7-8, 1 Corinthians 16.20, Galatians 3.13, Titus 2.14. Without the knowledge of God as Redeemer, not a soul on this earth would obtain salvation. Without the written Word of God, ALL would be utterly hopeless before the almighty and holy God, Revelation 5.
Without the Bible we would not know that God is one and that He is three (the Trinity). Without the Bible we would not know that Jesus Christ is coming back. Without the Bible, we would not know that it is our responsibility to proclaim the Gospel. Without the Bible we would not know that for everything and I mean everything, God has a purpose and plan for those who love Him; in fact, all things must work together for your salvation if you are a child of God.
I exhort you to read the Bible everyday, because within its pages you will know God in a more intimate way. This is the means by which we come to a deeper relationship with God, through His Word, Deuteronomy 32.46-47.
Reason #2–To Pursue Holiness
We come to the Bible to know God, and what we find is that He commands us to be holy, Exodus 19.6, Leviticus 11.44, 20.26, 1 Peter 1.13-16, 23, 2.9. Without holiness, we will not see heaven, Hebrews 12.14.
It is in God’s Word that we find His commands to pursue holiness. By abiding in His Word, we learn His will for our lives, Romans 15.4. In fact, Scripture (and the power of the Holy Spirit) makes us holy, Psalm 119.9, 11, 105, John 17.17, 2 Timothy 3.16. If you desire to hear, “well done my good and faithful servant” at the end of your life, you need to know what you have to do, and it is in the Word, Deuteronomy 8.3, Matthew 4.4. Read the Bible (I hope you are googling these passages or flipping through your Bible!).
Someone may be saying to himself or herself right now, “but Scripture is hard to understand, and I don’t get much out of it when I read it.” My answer to that has a few layers. Pray before you read. Ask the Holy Spirit to enlighten your mind to the Word of God; it is the Devil’s pleasure to make you think you cannot understand God’s Word. Read what is understandable to you at this moment. Maybe you really like the Gospel according to John and you read it repeatedly because you get it. Maybe on the 17th reading you find yourself reading, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” And maybe it is at that moment a cord is struck in your heart, “why is Jesus called the Lamb of God?” And off you go to read about the Passover in Exodus, and the sacrificial laws in Leviticus and the slaughtered Lamb in Revelation. Those texts that did not make “sense” begin to shine light on the glory of Christ. So, pray, read what is comfortable (and may curiosity lead you to deeper knowledge), and do not stop.
Reason #3–To Fight the Devil
We read the Bible to know God, to pursue holiness, and to fight the Devil. Satan prowls around like a lion looking for someone to devour, 1 Peter 5.8. We battle this predator with a sword, namely the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, Ephesians 6.17.
Like it or not, we are in a battle. Believe it or not, there are forces out there trying to tear you away from God and His salvation. Like it or not, there are powers setting snares for you to stumble in sin. What can we do against forces we cannot see? What can we do against temptation to rebel in our hearts? Slash them to bits by the power of God’s Word. Jesus says, “Blessed are the peacemakers…” and sometimes you have to fight for peace.
When your wandering eye tempts you to sin, shout aloud, “I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless!” Psalm 101.3. When your mouth leads you to sin, recall the words of the wise, “Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you.” Proverbs 4.24. When unrighteous anger rises in your heart, remember these words, “Know this my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” James 1.19-20.
When the Devil prompts your heart to doubt your salvation in Christ, when Satan tells you God no longer cares, you ought to yell, “But God!!” These two words are irreplaceable in the life of a sinner saved by grace. “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved [me], even when we [I was] dead in [my] trespasses, made [me] alive together with Christ—by grace [I] have been saved!” Ephesians 2.4-5.
Know Scripture to know God, pursue holiness, and combat sin and Satan.
Pray right now for the Holy Spirit to illuminate Scripture in your mind and heart.
Read right now this passage:
Psalm 19
The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
Day to day pours out speech,
and night to night reveals knowledge.
There is no speech, nor are there words,
whose voice is not heard.
Their voice goes out through all the earth,
and their words to the end of the world.
In them he has set a tent for the sun,
which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,
and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.
Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
and its circuit to the end of them,
and there is nothing hidden from its heat.The law of the LORD is perfect,
reviving the soul;
the testimony of the LORD is sure,
making wise the simple;
the precepts of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the LORD is pure,
enlightening the eyes;
the fear of the LORD is clean,
enduring forever;
the rules of the LORD are true,
and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold,
even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey
and drippings of the honeycomb.
Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.Who can discern his errors?
Declare me innocent from hidden faults.
Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins;
let them not have dominion over me!
Then I shall be blameless,
and innocent of great transgression.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in your sight,
O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
And thank God for revealing Himself to us through His Word.
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learning the word of God has changed my life! 🙂
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