Why Read The Bible? - God and Engaging the Bible: Part 1 (Day 1)

It's no accident that for about half of this series we're in the midst of a 14 day challenge. The challenge is to spend at least 30 minutes a day for the next two weeks with God. At least 10 minutes a day in prayer, at least 10 minutes a day in private worship, and at least 10 minutes a day reading the Bible.

But why in the world would anyone want to read the Bible...I mean especially the King James Version. It's so hard to read, it's hard to understand, and have you ever tried reading it cover to cover? It's a boring book...and I don't really understand it anyways...so why read the Bible at all?

I'm not surprised to find that the very first message in this series is from 2 Timothy 3:16. There are two points in this verse that stand out to me immediately.

First - All scripture is given by the inspiration of God. This is absolutely 100% the Word of God. We know of three places where we read "In the beginning was the Word, the Word was with God, and the Word was God." However, if you don't ever read the Bible for yourself you may not know that you'll find that verse in Genesis, John, and 1 John. Another important thing we read is that the Word of God became flesh, and dwelled among us, and we beheld it's glory.

Friends...the very first point and reason to read the Bible is because when we are reading it...we are reading HIS Word. Yes, I know that Peter, James, John, Paul, Luke, King David, Solomon, Moses, and many other people may have all written the scriptures...but all 66 books of the Bible are 100% Holy Spirit inspired.

Is that right? We don't read that "most" scripture is given by the inspiration of God do we? It doesn't say "some" scripture, or "almost all" scripture". No...it says that ALLscripture is given by the inspiration of God. Man may have written it...but God was the One telling these writers what to write.

I know there's many people who question the validity of the Bible because it's a man inspired book, but I fully believe that the Bible is the living Word of the Lord. That man may have written the scriptures, but he wrote them under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost...much like I am writing these messages today.

I certainly don't have the ability to write these kinds of messages on my own. I may have a message or two that's all done out of my own ability...but if I want them to have impact...then I need the Holy Spirit inspiring me...and often times He speaks through what I'm writing...and the only way I am really able to make an impact with these messages isn't because of me, but because of the Holy Spirit.

Second - All scripture is profitable. I know, I know...I can hear it already. "I don't make money when I read the Bible." It's not talking about being profitable money wise here is it? No. It's profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, for instruction in righteousness.

When you look at this verse in the Amplified you get an even deeper understanding of just what the profitability of reading the Word of God is.

It's profitable for instruction. Whenever you read a devotional, a message like this, listen to a sermon, or even a lesson in Bible college...when the Bible is used as the main text book...it's profitable. It gives you knowledge, insight, and understanding of the things of God. The more instruction you receive the more understanding you'll have...I have found this to be true in my own life. I have a wealth of knowledge of scripture...and that's because I've had thousands of hours of reading, hearing, and learning the Bible.

It's profitable for reproof and conviction of sin. You know something that's not really taught all that much anymore is the fact that we are going to stand before the Lord, and be judged according to everything that's written in the Bible. I can't tell you how many times I've been in services, and been convicted of something from the Word of God...and like I just mentioned one day we're going to be judged according to what's in it. So...I would think that it would be profitable to know what's in it so that I know the standards by which I'll be judged by...just a thought.

It's profitable for correction in error. If you stray from teaching the Word of God...then it's really easy to get into error. That's why there are so many awful churches today...they don't teach from the Bible. They're more worried about church attendance, preaching the next biggest Christian fad, and being entertainers...because the truth is teaching the Bible isn't fun, it's not popular, and it's not always entertaining...because it leads people to needing to be corrected and rebuked...and no one wants to be rebuked or held accountable according to the standards of the Word of God.

I don't know about you, but I would rather be taught, rebuked, and corrected by the Word of God now...then to be judged by it when I stand before Jesus. Maybe that's just my thoughts...but I can assure you that I'm not ever going to write messages on Rick Warren's new book, or the prosperity message...because while I may like Rick Warren's new book...it has no value over replacement to the Word of God. It may profit me to learn of Rick's understanding or wisdom...but it doesn't profit my soul...the Word of God is profit to our souls.

It's profitable for discipline in obedience and training in righteousness. The more I read the more I realize that I'm not responsible for my righteousness, but if I'm not reading the Word of God I can't know that. If I listen to half of the messages in the church today...they'll convince me that I'm going to hell because I'm not righteous...but the more I'm in the Bible...the more I realize that those are the people who are in error...because righteousness has nothing to do with me and everything to do with Jesus. If you don't read the Bible...you won't know when someone is teaching in error...and you'll allow them to teach you anything.

So...it's important to read the Word of God. If you've made it this far into the message...there's a couple of questions here that may help to sink this message in a little further, and give you some things to meditate...and think on.

Questions to ponder:

(1) What is the power that Scripture has in our lives?

(2) If all scripture is inspired by God, what should our responsibility to it be?

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