Why we read the Bible

Those who are of the Christian faith are supposed to and expected to read the Bible, but the practice varies from person to person. I know of many who read it on a daily basis while others seldom do. In fact, I know of a few who have never read it at all, as it is written and printed. We may have different views and understanding of God’s desire, so we leave it to the individual on his/her personal choice. Still, the fact remains that Christ expects us to read his word and often…nay, always, points to it, in answering questions, by asking, “Haven’t you read in the Scriptures that…?”

There are also a lot of reasons why some people hesitate to read “the Book.” Some hypothesize that it is a serious book and only the learned and those in authority in the church should be the only ones reading it. It is a fact, though we sometimes intentionally forget it, that the organized church has actually forbidden its reading by ordinary believers for centuries, punishable by death. Well, a few have actually been killed for simply translating it from Latin to English. The most famous was William Tyndale who was burnt at the stake in Antwerp in 1536.

Of course, we don’t forget the fear of what it actually says, which may inflict a sense of fear in the sinful man. Most, if not all, of us realize our imperfections when contrasted with the holiness of God. As early as when we first realize the dichotomy of right and wrong, and good versus evil, during childhood, do we realize that there is that part of us that are tempted to “covet,” especially when others have which we don’t…and we grow up to be almost always “competitive.” The tendencies vary, and we often tend to “hide” personal thoughts and feelings because that is what is expected of us by human society. But we are sinners, not because we sin, but simply because we are.

But why not read the Bible simply because it’s good for us? A wonderful Psalm describes the beauty of God’s Word perfectly: “The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.” (Psalm 19:7-8). It restores the soul, makes us wise, enlightening, and makes us rejoice! Maybe some may have hesitated on this wonderful habit because it might disrupt our regular lifestyles, but we are missing much of the wonderful lessons and experiences that were intended for us to have in reading his word. That’s the reason he gave this to us in the first place!

For Christians, we believe that the Bible is the only book written by God himself. So why don’t we read it regularly? And if we haven’t, why don’t we ask ourselves, why are we not reading the only book God wrote and intended for us to read? When we do read the Book, we get the best gift of all --knowing Jesus and knowing God!