The Bible is like no other book. Unlike other so-called “Holy Books,” the Bible is firmly established in its record of history and geography. Though it was written by more than 40 writers over a period of 1500 years, it forms a unified whole with a singular message. The Bible is thoroughly trustworthy and relevant.
The Bible is God’s love letter to mankind. His Word exposes our sins and failings, not to condemn us but to impress on us our great need for His forgiveness and cleansing. Through His Word, He reveals His love, grace and mercy toward us through His Son, Jesus Christ.
The Old Testament foretells the coming of the Messiah, who would be the Savior of the world. The New Testament shows how Jesus Christ came, fulfilling over 300 Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah. Jesus lived a sinless life, was crucified paying the penalty for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day. All this was documented by trustworthy eyewitnesses in the Bible. Jesus is coming again soon to make all things new!
God has given us His Word that we might know Him and learn how to please Him. Through His Word, the Bible, He has revealed His character, His nature, and His dealings with mankind. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
We need God’s Word in order to grow in our relationship with Him.
- Do you need more faith? “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” (Romans 10:17)
- Do you want victory over sin? “How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word.” (Psalm 119:9)
- Do you need direction in your life? “Your Word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” (Psalm 119:105)
- Do you long to know God better? “Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.” (1 Samuel 3:7)
7 Simple Tips for Growing in God’s Word
- Always go to the Word expecting to meet with
God. When I was very young, I started reading the Bible daily because I
thought I was doing God a favor—earning “brownie points” with Him or something.
I learned later that this was a false motivation. We don’t and can’t earn
points with God. His gifts to us are given freely by His grace and love.
Instead, we need to come to God’s Word longing to know Him better and learning how He wants us to live and conduct ourselves in this life. As we get to know Him better, our faith, joy and peace increase. Pray, asking God to reveal more of Himself to you as you read His Word.
- Pray for the Holy Spirit’s guidance. As
you read God’s Word, ask the Holy Spirit to give you understanding and wisdom. The
Holy Spirit is the one who inspired the Bible (2 Peter 1:21), so go to Him to
explain it to you. Also, in my experience, God reveals His Word to us little by
little. What I mean is that we may read a passage and not fully understand it until
some later time in life. This is another thing that makes God’s Word so rich
and alive!
- Let God’s Word permeate and change your life.
James warns us not to merely hear or read the Word, but to be doers of the Word
(James 1:22). And Psalm 1 proclaims a blessing on those whose delight is in God’s
Word and who integrate His Word into their lives. “That person is like a tree
planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf
does not wither—whatever they do prospers.” (Psalm 1:3)
- Develop a hunger for God’s Word. God’s Word
is likened to food, without which we cannot live. “How sweet are your words to
my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth.” (Psalm 119:103) And, “I rejoice in
your promise like one who finds great spoil.” (Psalm 119:162) Establish a daily
habit of meeting with the Lord in His Word. Long for and hunger for His Word!
- Hide God’s Word in your heart. God wants
us to become more like Him—or to be Christlike. One of the best ways to help
cultivate Christlikeness is to hide God’s Word in your life by memorizing it
and meditating on it. “I have hidden Your Word in my heart that I might not sin
against you.” (Psalm 119:11) And, “Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it
all day long.” (Psalm 119:97)
- Read all of God’s Word. While it makes
sense to spend a lot of time in the New Testament, the Old Testament explains
much of the New. And the Old Testament is no less the Word of God. The Old
Testament offers rich examples of God’s dealings with mankind and of men and
women of faith. The lives of Abraham and Sarah, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, David, Daniel
and others offer tremendous encouragement and insight into God’s workings.
- Share the Word with others. Tell others what you’re learning and gaining by being in God’s Word. Share especially the times when you felt the palpable presence of God as you read His Word. “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” (Colossians 3:16 NKJV) Take time to read and study the Word with each other.
In lands where the Bible is considered an illegal book, followers of Christ risk their lives to smuggle, distribute, and preserve God’s Word. They cherish God’s Word more than life itself. Yet, here in America, we often keep numerous translations of the Bible on our bookshelf, but we lack that sense of desperate need and longing for God’s Word.
Pray for that longing, but don’t wait until it comes. Start reading the Bible today and let God meet with you and teach you from His Word.
©2019 Rob Fischer