Why Should I Read The Bible?
What does an ancient book mean to people in modern times?
The Bible states that it is the Word of God. As such it must be important for people of all time periods. It only makes sense that when the Creator of the Universe speaks, the created ones listen carefully. Even when He speaks to individuals or specific/local situations, there must be principles revealed which are of great value for humans in general. This is because the Creator has infinitely more knowledge and wisdom than anything He has made. So, when He speaks, we need to listen (or in this case, read).
The Bible speaks to many areas of life that are just as pertinent to people today as it was to those who first received it. Humans of yesterday, today, and tomorrow have the same types of problems (greed, lust, pride, etc.), the same needs (love, health, food, etc.), and the same wants (more, pleasure, etc.). The principles, guidelines, and commands God gives in the Bible apply to someone who rode in a horse and buggy just as they do to someone who surfs the internet.
Three Primary Reasons To Read The Bible
First, we should read the Bible to get to know God. What we can know about God from the world around us is very limited, such as, He is the Creator and is powerful and kind enough to provide for all creatures. To actually know God, He must reveal Himself. As Zophar asked, “Can you search out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limits of the Almighty?” (Job 11:7) We can’t discover God on our own. Fortunately, God has revealed secrets about Himself. “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son.” (Hebrews 1:1-2a) The things God revealed to His prophets and the things spoken by His Son, Jesus, are recorded for us in the Bible. Here are just a few things we know of God from the Bible:
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1) God loves the people He created: “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.” (John 3:16)
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2) God is Holy: “For I am the LORD your God. You shall therefore consecrate yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I am holy.” (Leviticus 11:44)
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3) God hates evil: “These six things the LORD hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren.” (Proverbs 6:16-19)
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4) God is the only God: “Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: ‘I am the First and I am the Last; Besides Me there is no God’.” (Isaiah 44:6)
The second reason to read the Bible is to know what God says about life (on Earth and in Heaven). It is natural that the Creator would know how we should live on His planet and how we can get to Heaven when we leave it. He has given very clear instructions in many areas and principles which apply to other areas of life. For example:
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1) How to treat others: “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 7:12)
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2) Troubles in life: “Yet man is born to trouble, as the sparks fly upward.” (Job 5:7)
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3) Comfort in trouble: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4)
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4) Children: “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6)
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5) Finances: “The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.” (Proverbs 22:7)
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6) Getting to Heaven: “Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3)
The third reason to read the Bible is to know what God’s plans are. Bible students can see a clear plan for the Earth on the pages of the Holy Book from Genesis to Revelation. That plan includes every human, past, present, and future. Naturally, intelligent people will want to work within God’s plans instead of trying to make their own. Here are a few examples of parts of the plan:
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1) Plans for nations: “When the Most High divided their inheritance to the nations, when He separated the sons of Adam, He set the boundaries of the peoples according to the number of the children of Israel.” (Deuteronomy 32:8)
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2) Plans for rulers: “This decision is by the decree of the watchers … in order that the living may know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, gives it to whomever He will, and sets over it the lowest of men.” (Daniel 4:17)
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3) Plans for believers: “For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.” (I Thessalonians 5:9-10)
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4) Plans for non-believers: “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.” (Hebrews 9:12)
Conclusion
A short selection from the Bible gives the best summary as to why you should read it. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (II Timothy 3:16-17) Read the Bible because it is from God and you cannot be spiritually complete without it. It is how you get to know God and how God speaks to you.
For further consideration—someone made the following statement about the Bible:
“This Book contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable.
Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler's map, the pilgrim's staff, the pilot's compass, the soldier's sword and the Christian's character.
Here paradise is restored, heaven opened and the gates of hell disclosed. Christ is its grand object, our good is its design and the glory of God its end.
It should fill the memory, rule the heart and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently and prayerfully. It is given you in life and will be opened in the judgment and will be remembered forever.
It involves the highest responsibility, will reward the greatest labor, and will condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents.”
--Author Unknown--
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