Last Sunday, I put before the congregation a suggested Bible reading schedule for this upcoming year. And, when we consider what the Bible is (the inspired word of God, Second Timothy 3:16-17), we can all agree that to study the Scriptures on a daily basis is a very noble-minded thing for us to do (Acts 17:11). Truly, the reading of His holy and helpful word is something we all should treasure even more than “necessary food” (Job 23:12).
With this in mind, I am going to suggest THREE WAYS
1. Read with an Open Mind.
I suggest this first because, from the very first page, the Bible challenges the reader. From the very first verse of the Bible, we are told that there is one God, who is infinite (2 Peter 3:8) and Triune (1 John 5:7) in His nature, who created everything out of nothing (ex nihlo) and holds everything together by simply speaking it so (Psalm 33:6; Hebrews 1:3). As one reads further, they read of a worldwide flood (Genesis 6-9), a talking donkey (Numbers 22), and other miraculous things. And, as one digs deeper into the Bible, there are various teachings which challenge our sensibilities. We read about how we are blessed when we are persecuted (Matthew 5:11). We read about how we are to love and forgive those who sin against us (Matthew 6:12; Colossians 3:13-14). We read about how we are to not worry despite all the stormy sea of life (Matthew 6:25-34; 14:22-33). Truly, the Bible is a very challenging book (purposefully so, I believe). This is why I encourage everyone to read it with an open mind. So, while we will be challenged by what we read in the Bible, every word of it is true and beneficial, even if we can’t see how (Psalm 119:160; 2 Timothy 3:16-17).
2. Read with a Tender Heart.
More than anything else, the Bible challenges us regarding the subject of God’s indescribable love. In essence, the Bible is a love story. From before the very Beginning, God loved us. He chose us, mankind, to be His children (Ephesians 1:3; 1 John 3:1). He has blessed us with everything we have in this life and it is all very good (James 1:17). And, even when we rebel against Him like the ungrateful children we so often are, He still loves us and longs for us to come back to Him (Luke 15:11-32). He loved us so much that He gave His only Begotten Son to die on the cross so that we could be cleansed from our sins, justified in His sight, and sanctified for holy service in His everlasting Kingdom (Romans 5:6-11). And, He did/does all of this so that we can enjoy His unbounded love in full force for eternity in Heaven (John 14:2). The Bible is the story of God’s love. This is why I suggest that we read it with a tender heart. Don’t harden your heart or be “ho-hum” when you read. Rather, be impressed with His love, more and more, with every word every day.
3. Read with Purposeful Hands.
The Bible is more than just a collection of words or challenging statements and ideas or something of which we can be immensely impressed. It is a guidebook (Psalm 119:105, 133). It shows us God’s love and encourages us to do the only responsible thing: love Him back (Matthew 22:37). And, we do that by humbling ourselves before Him (James 4:10) and submitting our will to His (James 4:7; 1 John 5:3; 3:10). This includes humbly loving our brethren (Matthew 22:39; John 13:34-35; 1 John 3:10-5:2), our neighbors (Luke 10:25-37), and even our enemies (Matthew 5:43-48). When we read the Bible, we need to be more than just hearers of the word; we need to be doers of it (James 1:22-25)! When we read the Bible, we need to honestly commit to doing whatever God tells us to do out of love for Him and our fellow man. Let’s put our hands to that plow and never look back (Luke 9:62).
It is my firm belief that if we read the Bible in these ways, then we will all benefit from it and, more importantly, God will be glorified. So, let’s read the Bible like this in 2013. Let’s do it together and with a joyful heart (Psalm 119:162), praising the Lord every single Bible-filled day.
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