Must Christians Read the Bible?
Why do Christians read the Bible all the time?
Most teachers hate circular answers. You know, the ones in which you use something in the question as part of the answer? But in this case, the information in the Bible does actually help us understand why Christians seem to read it all the time.
In the book of Psalms, the writer states: “Blessed are those who do not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers.” (Ps. 1:1, NIV)
Another version continues: “Instead you thrill to God's Word, you chew on Scripture day and night. You're a tree replanted in Eden, bearing fresh fruit every month, never dropping a leaf, always in blossom.” (Ps. 1:2-3, The Message)
There are three steps to understanding why Christians want to read the Bible.
First: Christians want to live changed lives that are different from the sin, wickedness, and mocking they embraced before encountering Jesus Christ. Why would anyone want to become a Christian if their lives would stay exactly the same after coming to know God?
Second: The Bible, which was written by God through people inspired by Him, provides access to His thoughts and commands on practically every topic of life. We don’t have to wait for God to write his thoughts down on a stone tablet and send them down a mountain to us! Instead, we can just pick up His book and read it. By reading His words, we can learn how to live life a different way.
Third: When we come to know and love His views, then we can begin to model our lives by them, which will make us like the strong, healthy tree in Psalm 1. We will always bear the right ‘fruit’ for every situation, and we will continually grow closer to God.
