I love reading the Bible. I’m sure you do too. Though some seasons are better than others, there’s nothing quite like digging deep into God’s Word. Over the years, though, there’s been some truths about the Bible that I’ve discovered that I don’t hear in most Christian circles. What are they?
Here’s 4 of them:
1. The Bible can be hard to understand.
In one sense, it’s so easy. Even kids get it. If God’s Spirit lives in you, he has removed the vail of darkness, and allows you to understand the things of God, things that even the smartest unbelievers don’t get.
In another sense, though, understanding the Bible can be hard. Peter says so:
“…our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him when he speaks of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand” (2 Peter 3:16).
Even the Bible says the Bible can be hard to understand!
This doesn’t excuse laziness or passivity. But you shouldn’t feel inferior if there’s parts of the Bible that are hard for you to get.
2. The Bible should be regularly read.
Sounds obvious, right?
It’s not.
I can’t tell you how many Christians I’ve met over the years that don’t regularly read or care about Bible reading. “I’m more gifted in music and singing,” they say. I don’t really like to read that much. I know I’m saved by grace, and that I can’t do anything to make God love me less, so I’ll just go on without it.”
Hmmm.
Let’s see what Jesus thinks:
“Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.” (Matt. 4:4)
Your spiritual life should be maintained by regular time in the Word just as your physical life is maintained by daily nourishment of food. “To neglect regular reading of God’s Word is detrimental to the health of our souls,” says Wayne Grudem.
If you desire to grow, you must read the Word.
3. Bible knowledge is not enough.
I make this mistake. I can tend to feel as if I’m doing well if I don’t skip my devotions, or because I’ve memorized a lot of verses. Problem is, even the devil knows some verses. The question becomes: Do I believe and obey what I read?
Read your Bible. Memorize verses. Use a study Bible. Do what you have to do to get in the Word. But remember: head knowledge doesn’t mean much if you haven’t been converted, if you don’t obey what you read. Pray and meditate over Scripture, and ask God to help you apply the truths of Scripture to your life.
4. There’s nothing boring about the Bible.
I follow a lot of personal development guys. A lot them are Christians. I enjoy their content, and am always glad when I hear them recommend Bible reading to grow as a person. But then they almost always say something that makes me want to scream: “When you’re reading the Bible, feel free to skip over the ‘boring’ parts.”
Let me say this: there’s nothing boring about the Bible. If you think the Bible is boring, the problem is not with the Bible.
Sure, there can be hard, unclear parts. It can be difficult to grasp Leviticus and Ezekiel without help. But there’s nothing about it that’s boring. All Scripture is breathed out by God, and all of Scripture is sacred, edifying, and life-giving — The Bible is the opposite of boring.
I’m grateful for God’s Word. You and I need it. Some parts are hard, all parts should be read, and no parts are boring. You need it daily. As Charles Spurgeon says, “A Bible that’s falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn’t.”
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