Bible Reading: is it worthwhile?

In the previous chapter we have seen that in Christianity came different movements, having the main churches gone far away from the Biblical Truth, always bringing contra-movements or groups doing their best to search in the Bible for the biblical Truth.
The reaction by protestants against the Roman Catholic Church brought at first the bible to the people, but in later years the reading of the Scriptures also got on the third plan.

Throughout the ages there have always been people looking for a sound biblical Church, preferring to keep to the Biblical doctrines instead of to human doctrines.

Why should everyone take the time to read the Bible regularly and carefully?

It’s the all-time best seller, a message to humanity from the Creator of the universe, but many people cannot find the time to read it.
Some may think the Bible is too long, or difficult in parts, and would require too much effort from them. Actually parts of the Bible make very interesting reading, without much effort.

Remember the story of Joseph and his brothers?
And have you tried the Acts of the Apostles?
And for a thriller, the book of Esther will take some beating.

It can’t be seriously suggested that God could have made a much better job of His message, and that a shorter, simpler book would have been more suitable.
God is the Creator, and He knew exactly what He was doing when He gave us the Bible.

A Book of books given to us

God’s Book comes to us like it is, because this is the best way.
A simpler, shorter message would not have served the purpose of the Author. God has communicated with us, in the way that He has done, for a reason.
The gift that God offers us is nothing less than eternal life.

“The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord ” (Romans 6: 23).

Our minds are not big enough to understand the greatness of this offer; but at least we know that it is a truly amazing gift. Only a loving, immortal God could provide it for us.

Eternal life can only be God-given: it’s not something we can earn. Yet God’s gift will be reserved for those who appreciate it, and desire it intensely. God’s Book is admirably designed to test, and develops, our desire for God’s blessings.

“For the word of God is living, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4: 12).

Whoever makes the effort to read and understand the Bible shows they are interested in God’s gift. They desire to receive
God’s wisdom and to have a part in His eternal purpose.

“The righteousness of your testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live” (Psalm 119: 144).

Daily reading of God’s Book develops our taste for it, until it becomes our delight.

“O how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day” (Psalm 119: 97).

“How sweet are your words unto my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through your precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way” (Psalm 119:103-4).

In this way we learn spiritual principles to guide our lives. Like the Lord Jesus, we learn to love righteousness and hate iniquity, and how to seek first the Kingdom of God.

“Seek you first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6: 33).

Our original desire for God’s blessings, that led us to the Bible, is nurtured by God’s Book, so that it becomes a guiding light for our path in life.
It makes us more like the one whose example we have to follow. For Jesus said,

“I am the light of the world: he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12).

“For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1: 11).

We have the Words of God in the Bible, the book of books, so that we can come to know God and His sent one. These words have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in his name. (Description: John 20: 31)

Inspiration of the Bible

What does “inspiration of the Bible” really mean?

The word inspiration literally means God-breathed. The Bible is “inspired” because the words have been breathed by God Himself. The Apostle Paul described the Scriptures like this:

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Peter described the inspired prophets as

“men [who] spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1: 21)

Sometimes God seems to have inspired prophets to write words that they did not fully understand, such as how and when would occur the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow (see 1 Peter 1: 10-12). At other times, the writer seems
to have had more freedom of expression, although God inspired that writer’s thoughts. For example, the writings of Paul are distinctive in their style and language used, but were still inspired by God.

Inspiration does not mean the writers of Scripture were wired for mechanical dictation. God allowed them their individuality and style. They were chosen because God could work through them to bring the Bible into being.

(Find more in our publication: Getting to know the Bible better)

Preceding

God’s Self-Revelation

The Greatness of the eternal God

The New Testament and Judgement

To be prepared for the Day of Judgment

Living as a believer in Christ