Reading the Bible is a way Christians receive communication from God. Like checking your e-mail or voice mail for messages, the Bible is where God allowed some of His thoughts to be written down for us to learn from Him.
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and, training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work,”says 2 Timothy 3:16-17. Because the Bible contains God’s thoughts, recorded by men under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, it is different from any other book in the world. The Holy Spirit is at work any time a Christian reads the Bible, helping him or her to understand what is written.
I’ve been writing for several years and whenever my words go into print around the world, I cannot be present everywhere with each person reading my words. The Holy Spirit is different. He is present whenever a Christian reads the Bible, anywhere or anytime, much like having the author of a book you are reading sitting beside you as you read their words. That makes reading the Bible a very exciting venture for a Christian. You never know what He is going to point out or help you learn next!
The Bible is full of answers about how we are to live. Hebrews 4:12 tells us: “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” I can tell you from first-hand experience that the Bible can correct and judge my attitudes, and that it also gives great hope and encouragement to keep going in the Christian life.
