salv05 Why read the Bible? spiritual reasons

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Why read the Bible? spiritual reasons is a tract for new converts on the importance of reading and studying the Bible for Christian growth.



Why read the Bible? spiritual reasons

By David Cox

[salv05] v1 ©2022 www.coxtracts.com
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Isaiah 58:2 Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God.

As a Christian, why should I read and study the Bible? Some Christians ask me this. Other times, I talk to people who place very little importance on reading and studying the Bible. This kind of attitude reveals a lack of respect towards God, His work, and His Word. As a pastor, I see only disaster coming in their lives.

God has given us an advantage against the devil and his demons, and evil men all who want us to fall into sin. This advantage is the Word of God, the Holy Scriptures. See it this way: we are dirty children, the Word is soap, and the Holy Spirit is water, what do you expect?…

Get cleaned up!

All Scripture is inspired by God, and useful to teach, to reprove, to correct, to instruct in righteousness, so that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly prepared for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Do you want to know your Redeemer better?

John 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think* ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

*”ye think ye have” means to be of the opinion, to assume, to tell how, to judge like this. This word does not express doubt but is determination (and so God agrees with this).

According to 1 John 5:11-12 our salvation is based on one thing only, personally knowing Jesus Christ, our Savior. If to know Jesus Christ and to have a relationship with Him is salvation, we would be wise to highly value that relationship.

Hebrews 10:29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden underfoot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

So, we must broaden, deepen, and take care of that relationship to enjoy salvation as much as possible and then God will not punish us here in this life for the sin committed, even after being saved. Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

But according to Hebrews 12:11**, it is very clear that God punishes His children in love because of their sins, to purify them and present them without spot or wrinkle or the like.

**2 Chronicles 36:16 But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till there was no remedy. Hebrews 12:11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless, afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

Ephesians 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it (the redeemed) to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.




To be approved before God

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Although we are sure of being saved (1 John 5:13 these things I write…that ye may know that ye have eternal life), we must strive to be approved.

Pleasing God, as his children, is not so simple. We really do NOT put forth very much effort into knowing, understanding, and obeying His Word, which amounts to idolatry. 1 Sam 15:22-23 “stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry”. God is pleased to hear you and pay attention to your prayers and needs. If we are rebellious or obstinate, God regards us as idolaters.

Increasing our faith

Faith and its evidence in our lives (obedience to His Word) are intimately related to salvation. One wonders: “I want faith, how can I increase it? How do I make it grow?” The answer is: by the Word of God.

Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Hebrews 4:2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

There is an intricate relationship between faith and reacting correctly to the Word of God when we read or hear it. That is, if we hear the Word of God, and use whatever faith we may have, God will increase our faith. But God will not increase our faith if we refuse to read, study, and pay attention to the preaching and teaching of His Word!



To cleanse us from our sins

Our sin is the problem that salvation remedies. Do you want the problem and all that pain, sorrow, and sadness that goes with it, or do you want the solution to it? There’s no other way. If you want to be saved from hell, with this salvation you can remove sin from your life now. The only way to remove sin is through a serious relationship with the Word of God.

John 15:3 You are already clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.

John 17:17 Sanctify them by your truth; Your word is truth.

Psalm 119:11 I have hidden your words in my heart, so that I will not sin against you.

A serious relationship with the Word of God is what spiritually cleanses us; and this is by hearing with faith and obeying the Word of God.

Suggestions to honor the Word of God

First, we must put a priority for the Word of God in our lives. I mean, let’s listen, pay attention, study it, memorize it, and above all, let us learn from it. And what we learned, let’s put it into practice daily.

When someone reads the Word, let us be attentive, without commenting with our neighbor, without being distracted, and attentive to what is being said. We need to exalt the Word of God in our lives. We must read the Bible daily. It is the primary way God speaks to us. We must also study it. Let’s use a notebook and write down the things that we learn and the things we have doubts about and review them constantly. God gives us worship services every Sunday to learn more about the Bible. Let’s talk to someone with more knowledge about Scripture than we have (like our pastor), and ask for help with our doubts, there is always someone willing. Let us always be present in all the services of our church and take advantage of what God has provided us. Listening and understanding the Word of God is an activity of great importance in our spiritual life. Let’s arrive a few minutes before the service, so we can prepare our minds to receive from God what He sends us for this day. Let’s not come distracted, hungry, or sleepy. Let’s sit up front to listen well and be as attentive as possible. A notebook is very useful to take notes. Let us cultivate a relationship with those who preach, to ask them for clarification on points that we do not understand.



Let’s be strong spiritually

Many times, Christians complain that they have no victory in their lives over sin, the devil, and their own sinful flesh. This complaint is really against God. God provided us with the spiritual strength necessary for us to overcome. That strength is in the Word of God and the Spirit of God. Let’s take advantage of what God has given us.

1 John 2:14 … I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one….

Let us strengthen our prayers

1 John 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

There are two important points in building an effective prayer life: (1) Know what the will of God is, and (2) Ask according to his will.

Doing this, God will answer our requests. But how are we going to know the will of God if we do not study the Bible? Simply put, it is impossible. The study of the Word of God should be our highest priority in life.

Deuteronomy 11:18 Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes. 19 And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. 20 And thou shalt write them upon the door posts of thine house, and upon thy gates: 21 That your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children, in the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers to give them, as the days of heaven upon the earth. 22 For if ye shall diligently keep all these commandments which I command you, to do them, to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, and to cleave unto him; 23 Then will the LORD drive out all these nations from before you, and ye shall possess greater nations and mightier than yourselves.

God promised Israel the victory in their fights of life, if only they honor the Word of God saturating their entire life with the Word of God.

In Order to Find Peace and Joy

Psalms 119:165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.

Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

John 17:13 And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.

John 17:14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil…. 17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

The only way to find peace and joy is to submit ourselves to God and serve Him, which means we know him and understand his Word, always obeying it.

To Guide us in the Decisions of Life

Psalms 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

The person who finds the guidance of God in his life is very fortunate. We should seek the help of God by using the Word of God to guide our lives.

To be prospered in our way

Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. 9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

God gives us the best reason to unite ourselves with his Word and Will, because if we obey the will of God, our lives will go well.

The Bible presents us that our lives are fraught with spiritual battles between the force of God in us and the Devil. There are many ways that Satan heaps sin upon our lives. But there is only one way to cleanse us, the Word of God. For the Christian that is not happy with his Bible, there is nothing for his future except sadness, destruction, problems, and pain.

Conclusion

The Christian who early and willingly studies his Bible and draws spiritual riches from it, has God’s blessing for his whole life.

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Why read the Bible? spiritual reasons

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This tract in Spanish: ¿Por qué leer la Biblia?

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