Resources/Articles
Read the Bible
One would assume most people who read this message are frequent readers of the Bible. Some may be curious as to the content of this article because of its title. It would be interesting to know how many will read past this next line, or how many will read the title and move on to read something else.
If you are reading this, you may distinguish yourself as a reader of the Bible with a few conditions. You may read it daily. You possibly read it sometimes. You will read it when you attend a church service. You will read it when you have time. You will read it when you are in trouble. You will read it to “prove your point.”
There are several reasons why all mankind needs to read the Bible. Consider the following important reasons:
1. Get wisdom. “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom” (Proverbs 4:7). Most people I know would like to be smarter in the choices they make. It seems as though a fool’s way is the path most will take, knowing the risks and likely harmful consequences. Some who make foolish mistakes tell me the “knew better.” Knowing better and doing better are two different things. The Bible is the best place to find the wisdom to not only know better but to do better. Preventing the additions of one more fool in the world and the decrease of foolish mistakes is what wisdom provides (Ephesians 5:17). The wisest of all men said, “Get it.”
2. Avoid ignorance. People have said, “What I don’t know won’t hurt me!” Tell that to the guy who jumped out of a plane thinking he could fly. There are people who read through the Bible in a year or less who are “ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 3:7). Reading, study, and meditation are the three ways one avoids ignorance. Would you include yourself in the number of those who are ignorant of purity? How many do you suppose know there is one church? What is the likelihood many people do not know who built the ark, who Paul is, or who told Mary she would give birth to Jesus? How many know marriage is the joining of one man with one woman and is a creation of God? Reading the Bible keeps one from having to ignore questions to which one does not know.
3. Stop believing the Lie. 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12 describes people who believed a lie. People will listen to anything and everything and believe all of it without investigation. The source of their belief often comes from an unreliable source. Reading the Bible eliminates a lot of false notions, religious error, and misunderstanding. Reading brings us to know the truth - the truth which sets us free (John 8:32).
