WHY READ THE BIBLE?
If you happen to struggle with doubts that the Bible is legitimately the Word of God, then please consider the following statements.
· If you truly believe that God created you, the world, the universe and everything else that is seen or unseen, then is it really that hard to fathom that He can create a book for us through His appointed servants? It is distinctly apparent that God used written words intended for longevity so that generations of men and women could know of His holiness, His love, His principles for living and His will for our lives. God didn’t create us and then just leave us here without guidance or hope. He gave us a thorough instruction manual for living because He loves us.
· The Bible is comprised of 66 books written by nearly 40 different authors from several different countries that wrote in multiple languages over a span of 1500 years. Yet, somehow there is a very consistent unity in the theme that points towards Jesus Christ. The clear and obvious unity of the authors could only be explained by a miraculous outside influence. Read it for yourself and see the power of God at work.
· If God created a book intended for all of us to read, then wouldn’t it make sense that it would be the most popular book in human existence? The Bible is indeed by far the most published book in human history. Several billion copies have been distributed throughout the world and that number continues to grow. Is that really just a coincidence or could it be God’s plan?
· Literally hundreds of biblical prophecies have been fulfilled. It is incredibly mind blowing when you look into them and I suggest that you do. There is also an abundance of archaeological and historical evidence to explore that backs up the stories of the Bible.
· Even though the Bible is centuries upon centuries old, it still holds up as an amazing tool for life application that is shockingly relevant to life in our current times. Maybe God knows what he is doing after all by creating a timeless book. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. (Isaiah 40:8)
· The entire planet’s calendar is built around the events that are chronicled in the Bible. Think about that. Regardless of the beliefs of all the various cultures of the world, the year everyone exists in is marked from the time of Jesus living on Earth (AD). The historical times before Jesus are also marked (BC). All of human history is wrapped around what is written in the Bible. It’s significant to all cultures and all generations.
· The New Testament authors wrote eye-witnesses accounts of the many miracles performed by Jesus including His resurrection from death. Almost all of the apostles paid the high price of facing torture and losing their earthly lives as a result of proclaiming what they knew to be true. Paul, the writer of 13 New Testament books, was actually persecuting, imprisoning and even approving of the death of Christians before he met the resurrected Jesus (Acts 9). This changed the course of his life from being possibly the greatest enemy of Christianity at that time to one of the most devout and effective missionaries of all time. Paul also gave his life as a martyr in order to share the Gospel. Acknowledging these radical responses to the interactions with Jesus makes the Bible difficult to dismiss.
· If the Bible is true, then your eternal destination depends on how you respond to its message. The Bible is powerful and has transformed millions of lives. It is absolutely worth your eternity to explore it in detail before skipping it over as just another book. Its influence should make anyone think twice about betting their eternal life on worldly, human “truths” that constantly waver with time, culture and circumstance.
It is so important for us to gain a true understanding of the Bible and salvation in Jesus so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. (Ephesians 4:14)
If you have not ever read the Bible in its full context for yourself, then you should not be quick to dismiss it as the actual Word of God. A natural internal desire to make up our own rules instead of submitting to God’s authority can keep us from ever understanding the truth. In our sinful nature, we can so easily minimize the Bible and rationalize our way of life in doing things our own way. If your way of life is leading you on a path distanced from knowing God without certain hope for eternity, then it’s time to give God’s ways a try. You might be surprised as I was at the faith building that takes place when you humbly submit to God and allow His Word to work in your life. This requires a wise investment of your time to open the Bible and study it with an open heart and mind.
1 Timothy 2:4 proclaims that God “desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth”.
1 Corinthians 14:33
For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.
God is not looking to confuse us with His Word. He is actually seeking to develop a relationship with us through His Word and He wants us to gain its knowledge so that we can truly know Him. The extraordinary thing to consider is that God Almighty, the creator of the universe, doesn’t need us at all, but He still wants us. In fact, He wants to be in relationship with us so much that He lovingly offered up His Son to provide a way for us to be in his Holy presence forever. Through His Word, God gives us all the opportunity to know Him and His love. The message of the Bible becomes much clearer the more we devote ourselves to God by reading it. Most of it really is not that difficult to understand when we apply ourselves and seek out the context.
Psalm 119:130
The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.
If a “simple” guy like me can comprehend its life-changing message, then I’m pretty sure anyone can. If you don’t have a study bible that provides in-depth contextual notes to help you “unfold” God’s word, then I highly suggest you get one. If you need one, please submit a request and I will have one sent to you right away at no cost to you if you promise to study it.