Top 3 Reasons to Read the Bible

“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 perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” ~ 2 Timothy 3:16-17

I have heard all the excuses for NOT reading the Bible. I have heard that the Bible was written thousands of years ago, and thus as an antiquated, obsolete text, it holds no value in today’s world. I have heard that the Bible is great in theory but loses credit in the world today as it’s not “real life”. I have heard that the Bible does not inspire and does not excite. All of these are lies from the Father of Lies! My top three reasons for reading the Bible counter them.

Top 3 Reasons To Read the Bible:

1. The Bible holds the answers to all our problems. When we are lost, we can find the Gospel message which saves, redeems and sanctifies (Romans 10:9)! When walking through depression, we can find hope through the writings of David (Psalm 40:1-3). When we lose a relative, we can read about where they are, and how to be reunited with them (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). When people fail us, we can read the reassuring words of the One who will never fail us (Isaiah 43:2). The list of problems in this world is endless, but the Bible provides an answer to each.

2. The Bible contains living examples of how we should act, lessons we need to learn and pictures of what to be (or not to be) in certain situations. We can see ourselves in the lives of those who have lived before us, and we can learn from them. The Bible is not a collection of children’s stories or nursery rhymes; it is a historical account of actual people and their response to the drama life brought them. When I struggled with living out my faith amongst those who had no faith, I met Daniel and saw how he responded in the same situation (Daniel 1:1-21). When my past stifled my present, I studied Rahab, a prostitute that God forgave and redeemed (Joshua 2:1-24, Joshua 6:22-25). When doubts assailed me, I cried out the prayer that the father said to Jesus, “Help thou my unbelief,” and He answered me as He did the grieving father (Mark 9:14-29).

3. I want to address the last argument against reading the Bible–that it is uninspiring and unexciting. To do this, I pose the question: What would you die for? I would die for very few things in my life. Certainly not my house, my truck or my possessions. I would die for my family and my faith (which is inseparably linked to the Bible). Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit.”

The “Word of God” refers to the Bible. The context for the word “quick” in this verse, means alive. The sword piercing though the body to the soul, references the convicting power the Bible holds. Let me restate the verse this way: The Bible is alive, moving and convicting people of their sins, cutting them to their very core. There is no greater excitement or inspiration than this. I look to the Christian martyrs who so readily and willingly give up their lives. What else holds such power? What else inspires such adoration and such sacrifice? (For another post on Christian martyrs, please see, Extra, Extra: Teen Dies Defending the Bible!

Why do you read the Bible? What are your top reasons?