Read the Book: Acts 17:10-12; 2 Timothy 3:16

“So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, ‘If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth and the truth will make you free’” (John 8:31-32, NASB).

Last night I watched the 1970 movie “Patton.” The movie is about World War II American general George S. Patton. In the movie there is an occasion when General Patton will have to face the German general Johannes Erwin Rommel, known as the Desert Fox. In this particular scene General Patton is asleep in bed. There is a book written by Rommel on the night stand. The scene changes to the battle between the Patton led American forces and the Rommel led German forces. The battle is fierce. When Patton sees that his army is about to be victorious Patton pulls off his goggles and pays Rommel a compliment. He says that Rommel is a magnificent general, but he was winning because as Patton says, “I read your book.” In this article, I want to encourage Christians to read the book—The Holy Bible. If we will read God’s book we will know how we should fight the battles that we become engaged in as we live our daily lives.

Christians in the year 2022 live in a world in which there are numerous sources of information. There is television and radio, social media, books, newspaper. Christians have access to bibles with different translations. Christians have access to bible dictionaries, commentaries, and maps. These come in print and in bible apps that are accessible though our cell phones. It is impossible for anyone to keep up with all these sources of information. I often discover that there is a source of information that I have no knowledge of. This does not particularly bother me, because I believe that I have the best source of information that I need so that I can live a life pleasing to God. I believe that I am free from a lot of anxiety and worry about the events that are taking place in our world today because I read the book; the Holy Bible—the scriptures. Let me give a few examples of how reading the book can help us to be not a victim in life; rather, we can be victorious over our situations and in our circumstances.

First, we need to know God’s purpose for giving us the scriptures. Yes, the bible was written by human authors. There are sixty-six books in the bible. There are thirty-nine books in the Old Testament, and there are twenty-seven books in the New Testament. Although there are many human authors all of them have a common source of the things that they write about. In Second Timothy Paul writes to his protégé Timothy to encourage him because of the difficulties and conflicts that Timothy is engaged in.

In Second Timothy 3 Paul tells Timothy that he cannot escape the ways of the world. He is going to have to live in the world. God is not going to force change on the world at this time (See 2 Tim. 3:1-9). The good news for Timothy is this: God provides Timothy with a source of information that will help him to overcome the challenges that he is facing (See 2 Tim. 3:10-15). Paul concludes with these words: “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16-17, NASB). That God is the source of what is written in the Scripture is supported by the words of Peter. Peter writes, “But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God” (2 Pet. 1:20-21, NASB). If we know and believe the words of Paul and Peter, we know that the bible is not just an ancient text written by men that are not relevant for us today. Instead we find in the bible the words of God and Jesus Christ that are sure, stable, unchangeable and unchanging. So, let us look at a few scripture passages that gives us reasons to know how reading the book, the bible helps us to be disciples of Jesus Christ and a holy people called by God to be His own possession so that we may receive the blessings that He has in store for us.

We must ask ourselves the reason that I am a Christian. The legitimate reason that we become a Christian is that we become aware of our sins. We can believe that we sin when we learn that God is the creator of the entire universe. In the bible we read these first words: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Gen. 1:1). With His own power God creates human beings for His own purpose (See Gen. 1:26-28). “God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them” (v. 27, NASB). God gives them laws to live by. These laws must be obeyed if they are to live functioning according to God’s design. However, the man and the woman disobeyed God. Their disobedience led to their loss of spiritual life with God and their separation from God. They were driven from the garden and all of their descendants are born outside the garden dead in trespasses and sins (See Gen. 3).

Although we are born in a world of sin with a sin nature the book gives us reasons to live with hope. Contrary to popular belief, God is not overly concerned that we live a prosperous life according to the world’s standards. Anything that we accomplish in life is temporary subject to decay, corruption, and loss. We ourselves are subject to death. On the other hand God has a plan by which we can be prosperous according to God’s standards. From the beginning God has a plan for those who believe in Jesus. They will receive eternal life in His kingdom that is not of this world that we know and live in. “Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm’” (Jn. 18:36, NASB). Do you want to be a success in this world wearing the title Christian for your own advantage? Do you want to live as a Christ-follower; a disciple of Jesus Christ with hope of eternal life with God? If so, read the book. Here are a few of my favorite verses that give me reason to read the bible.

First, the bible tells me who I am and the purpose that God created me. The bible tells me that there is a God who loves every person regardless of their status in the world. In spite of my sins, God loves you and me. These are two scripture passages that bear this truth. “‘For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life’” (Jn. 3:16). God does not allow sin to dwell in His presence. God does not leave sin unpunished. Sin leads to death. Therefore, in order for us to live God gave His Son to be a substitute for us. Jesus died a vicarious death so that we might live. I know this because I read it in the book; specifically Romans 5.

One should read the entirety of Romans 5 that include two significant statements. Paul writes, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:1, NASB). Through faith in Jesus Christ the hostility between God and the believer is over. We did nothing to resolve the hostility and bridge the separation between God and us. This was done entirely by God. Paul writes, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8, NASB).

Now that we are saved from sin and we are united with Christ, what are the benefits of reading the book? Psalm 119 is just one chapter in the book that gives us several reasons for knowing the word of God. “How blessed are those whose way is blameless, Who walk in the law of the LORD” (Ps. 119:1). If Christians want to receive the blessings of the Lord, they will receive them according to His word. It is time out for Christians to believe that God will bless them because they praise and worship Him. God’s mercy and grace is given to those who follow Him. This is seen in Psalm 23. The shepherd (Jesus) leads us and we follow the shepherd whose rod and staff comforts us. Those who follow Him are led to still waters and protected in the darkest valleys of Life. He prepares us a table in the presence of enemies.

All of us sin, but there is a barrier between the believer and the acts of sin that he/she is tempted to do. “Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You” (Ps. 119:11). We can avoid deception. “Teach me good discernment and knowledge, For I believe in your commandments” (119:66). We can see Christ clearly in the darkest places. “Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path” (v. 105). In his gospel, John records these words: “Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the Light of life’” (Jn. 8:12, NASB). If we walk in the Light, means that we live according to the words of Jesus. His words are the Father’s word (See Jn. 5:19, 24).

In conclusion, let us read the book. Let us obey God’s words written by men under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. His word is life eternal. His word gives us light, that is, knowledge of God’s ways and His instructions to us so that we may walk in the truth of God. We may not always understand what we read in the bible. If however, we read it prayerfully I have discovered that if I believe its word, God sends His Holy Spirit to give me clarity and understanding. The more I read the book and follow its words the more I understand it, and I am able to apply the words to my life. Thank God for the book!