Have you ever tried to use a complicated device and been completely frustrated until you read the instruction manual? Many view the Bible as God’s instruction manual for people, and there is a lot to support that view. The Bible is more than simple instruction since it contains law, history, poetry, prophecy, letters and covers thousands of years of interactions between God and people. People who study the Bible continually find new insights since the Bible contains a mixture of simple and complex ideas intended to help us grow in our own relationship to God.
We read the Bible because it contains guidance that is more reliable than our own feelings and thoughts (Proverbs 14:12; 16:25; Hosea 4:6; Matthew 22:29). The Bible does not change with shifting societal beliefs and so provides a dependable and steady standard for our living (Deuteronomy 4:2; Matthew 24:35; Galatians 1:6-10). It also has the same words for all people regardless of their wealth, nationality, race or other variance (Acts 10:34-35).
We read the Bible because the teaching of people may not be reliable, so we go directly to the source to determine exactly what the record given by God says (Acts 17:11; Colossians 2:8) and so we will know if the teaching of people is correct.
We read the Bible because it is intended to help us learn truth (John 8:31-32; 17:17; Romans 15:4) so we can be free from lies and other ills that capture and captivate us unless we live by what it says (Psalms 119:105; Luke 11:28).
We read the Bible because it helps us learn to live correctly, in peace with both God and other people (Psalms 119:9-12; I Corinthians 10:11; II Timothy 2:15-18; I Peter 2:1-3).
We read the Bible because it comes from a higher authority than any person (Matthew 4:4; II Timothy 3:16-17) and that authority will have the final say about our ultimate life or death (John 5:24, 39-40; 12:47-50; Romans 10:11-13)
We read the Bible because it is God’s first line of power on the earth (Romans 1:16-17) for bringing us into a good relation with him. The basis of that relationship goes deeper than simple actions, such as law keeping, but includes our thoughts and intentions (Hebrews 4:12-13) within our inner self.
We read the Bible because it contains the record of God’s message, sent in the form of a man, who taught that message to all who would listen (John 1:14-18).
We read the Bible because it has the word of God, the information, which is God’s creative power for both our lives and for the universe (John 1:1-5). When God speaks, great things happen (Genesis 1:3, 6, 9) because God’s word has power and authority (Luke 4:31-32; 5:24-26).
We read the Bible so we will know how to conduct our lives by applying what it says to our day to day living Matthew 7:24-27). We are expected to live by what it says, not just know what it says.
Of course, all this assumes you believe the Bible is inspired by God and contains his word. I am hoping to address this in the future with a series on “Why Do I Believe That …”.
Written by Cliff Copass