Articles
Meaningfully Reading the Bible (Part 1)
Along with daily prayer, daily reading of the Bible is essential for our spiritual sustenance and growth. The instruction which Moses gave in Deuteronomy was Jesus' answer when He was tempted by Satan and it is the same answer for us as well.
“‘Man shall not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
(Matthew 4:4; Deuteronomy 8:3)
If Jesus Himself relied upon what was written in Scripture, how much more do we need to spend time reading and reflecting upon "every word that comes from the mouth of God?"
There are two main benefits that we obtain by continuously turning to the Bible and they are spiritual nourishment and divine wisdom. When I say "spiritual nourishment" I am speaking of the need we have for daily food for the spirit which is in us. Your body will not let you ignore the need to eat something physically on a daily basus. You get to the point where the desire to eat overrides every other thing. How hungry does your spirit get every day?
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied." (Matthew 5:6 ESV)
"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."
(Matthew 6:33 ESV)
Your spirit will also let you know that you have a need for food. Spiritual food! This is the food which comes in the form of information and instruction that provides a foundation for inner stability and strength.
"…like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation,…" (1 Peter 2:2 NASB)
The Bible, which is where we find inspired Scripture, is useful for even more than the simple food which is suggested by the idea of "milk", it is the answer to every need in your life with God.
"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NASB)
Take a moment and consider the things for which Paul says that the inspired Scripture is profitable. First, he lists "teaching". Even very intelligent people say, "I am constantly learning." This is especially true when it comes to the spirit. Whether you are a new or a veteran Christian, there is so much to be learned from God's teaching in the Bible. Regardless of how many times you have read a passage of Scripture, there is always something new and meaningful to be discovered. The Bible is abundantly rewarding and valuable for the teaching we all need in Christ.
Second, is listed "reproof" and then "correction". Whereas "teaching" can be viewed as the positive instruction coming from God, "reproof" and "correction are is negative instruction and guidance which we all need as well. When learning to drive, it's important to have someone who tells you when you are going off the road! The Bible guides us in the right way by telling us about all the wrong ways. Especially when you have taken the wrong way or you are on course for a head-on collision with God.
God isn't picking on you because His word is the same to everyone. "For there is no partiality with God." (Romans 2:11 NASB) Neither is God being mean, "who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." (1 Timothy 2:4). He corrects us because we are His children and He cares for us. The Hebrews writer asked, "Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live?" (Hebrews 12:7 NASB)
So it is essential that we hear the things from God's word which we have wrong and which are painful, even to the extent of causing sorrow. Because we understand that the sorrow which we experience is so that we may be saved. "For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death." (1 Corinthians 7:10 NASB)
Finally God's word provides "training in righteousness" or "training which is in righteousness." Our God is holy and His modes of thought and conduct are not the world's modes of believing and behaving. We must go to His word to learn His standards and His expectations if we are sincerely seeking to please Him. Many of those who even read the Bible are looking for self-justification and affirmation of what they already believe. To receive the training in God's plan for right living and thinking you must be open to listening to what He has to say in His word. It is all that we need as Peter wrote, "…seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him…" (2 Peter 1 NASB)
The time spent in daily reading of God's word can satisfy your spiritual hunger and equip you with everything to live a godly life through faith in Jesus. In my next article I want to talk about the two ways in which we can search God's word and draw nearer to Him in our daily lives.
May you be richly blessed and strengthened by the time spent in searching the Scripture.
Michael Franklin
