Whether we think it’s outdated, unhelpful, boring or simply something we can’t fit in to our busy schedules, it can be easy for our Bible to be left on the side, gathering dust. But Paul wrote to Timothy: ‘There’s nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another – showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us’ (vv.13-17 MSG). So there are some important reasons why we should be reading our Bibles. Firstly, the Bible helps to keep us on the right path. It shows us how God wants us to live. Plus, God will never say something to us through another person, or our own thoughts, that doesn’t line up with what He’s clearly revealed in His Word. When we know the Scriptures, we can discern whether it’s God speaking to us or not. Secondly, it helps us know we’re truly saved. John writes: ‘These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know…you have eternal life, and…continue to believe in the name of the Son of God’ (1 John 5:13 NKJV). And thirdly, reading the Bible helps us to identify our calling and be equipped to carry it out. Paul says, ‘Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us’ (2 Timothy 3:17 MSG). The Bible is our guidebook for living the Christian life, so reading it should be a vital part of our day.
