The reading of scripture should be a habit and spiritual discipline which all Christians should seek to engage in. However, it can be easy to lose passion for the word of God, and to subsequently stop picking it up each morning. But we must get back into this divine book! So, why are we not reading our Bibles? Well, Jeff Anderson at Crosswalk highlights some key reasons.
1. The Bible is optional
“After all, we have TV, internet, and plenty of “wise” voices touting answers. The faith message has been oversimplified with trite expressions: Love God, love people. Why do I need to read that dusty book when I have a four-word synopsis? Many people see more verses of scripture on Facebook memes than in their Bible. And to them, Facebook replaces the Bible.”
2. Many church leaders don’t expect us to read the Bible
“I didn’t say leaders don’t want people to read the Bible, they don’t expect it. How can we tell? Are you expected to bring your Bible to church? When our kids were babies and toddlers, we didn’t expect them to feed themselves, or even know how. So we fed them little bites of baby food. Eventually we expected them to feed themselves, and even make their own meals.”
3. Google faith
“We can google a Bible verse, or blog about a verse, any time we want. So why read what’s around it? 100 million people have downloaded the YouVersion Bible app. I celebrate that fact. My question is, with accessibility to scripture climbing by the day, why is faith and Bible engagement declining?”
4. Bible Bullies
“Sincere believers are often told, overtly and covertly, that they are not smart or educated enough to truly understand the Bible. Sounds like something Martin Luther railed against 500 years ago! (This year is the 500th anniversary of the beginning of the reformation, by the way.) He went on to translate a version of the Bible in their language so more people could read it. Like others before and after, he was persecuted for giving such a “lofty” book to lowly people.”
5. Paul predicted you wouldn’t read it.
““For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions. (2 Timothy 4:3). Okay, The Apostle Paul didn’t predict you wouldn’t read it. But he predicted many would find more entertaining alternatives.”
Get back into the Bible today! It is the living, breathing word of God, and will spur you on in your faith and direct you in your walk with Christ! Amen!
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So true, that is many Christians do not know what is in the precious word of God for life and freedom and power to live a life so great and fulfilling that there is no greater to be had. Our identity is based in the Word. Our Joy. Our Love. Our Faith on and on it goes for the Word of God is the foundation upon which all that God the Father has planned to share through His Only Begotten to be revealed through His Spirit the Holy Spirit, for whom empowers us to be like Him. If we do not read it, study it, love it, soak our lives in it, breathe it, eat it, consume it … how can we ever hope to accomplish what He has called us into?