Every Christian knows the importance of Bible reading and desires to read the Bible better. However, most Christians read the Bible less today than in previous generations. A friend told me once that he wrestles with why he should read the Bible. It was hard to understand, and other responsibilities like school and work were more urgent. Without a compelling reason, motivation for Bible reading fizzles away. Thankfully God provides abundant motivation. Here are four reason to keep on reading the Bible.
Read the Bible to Hear God Speak.
God reveals his will and works by his word. Citing Psalm 95 as a warning to readers against hardening their hearts, the author of Hebrews says, “Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says” (Heb 3:7). What the Psalmist wrote centuries ago, the Holy Spirit says to you today. Want to hear God speak? Read your Bible to hear the Lord. To hear the Lord out loud, read your Bible out loud.
Read the Bible to Behold Glory.
2 Corinthians 3:18 says we are transformed by “beholding the glory of God.” The glory of the gospel, which is veiled to us, scripture reveals. Paul, therefore, says, “We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God” (2 Cor 4:2). God lifts the veil, and we behold Christ’s glory through the ministry of his word (2 Cor 4:6).
Read the Bible to Grow in Maturity.
How essential is the bible to maturing my faith? 2 Tim 3:16-17 says, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” God’s word trains and equips you for every good work. Without the milk and meat of God’s word, we cannot grow (1 Peter 2:2). Fill your diet with scripture.
Read the Bible for your Joy.
Psalm 1:1-2, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.” The fountain of delight he finds daily meditating on God’s word keeps the author from drinking the Kool-Aid with the wicked. We struggle to read the Bible because it is a war against sin. Reading the Bible is not just a fight to finish a to-do list; it is a fight to find our joy in Christ. Engaging God’s word keeps us from sin and nourishes our joy in God (Ps 119:9-11). Pursue joy in Christ by reading your Bible.
Why read the Bible? Because it is the very word of God revealing the glory of Christ, which transforms you into maturity and brings you the fullness of joy.
Scott Hurst pastors at Northminster Baptist Church in Toronto. He enjoys sports, books, and spending time with his wife and their two boys. Keep up with his writing at Write to Understand.