Do Christians have to read the Bible?
The Bible is God's Word, in which God reveals himself to us humans. It is the most widely printed book in the world and is read by believers and non-believers alike. Christians don't read the Bible for reading, but to get to know God and understand His will. Those who love and adore someone want to know as much as possible about that person (even if God isn't a human being); what is important to them, what they like, and what they don't like. Because most people don't know God, their thoughts and ways often don't correspond to the intentions of their Creator. For this reason, God gave us His Word as a guide for our lives.
In the Bible, God reminds us of His promises, both for this life and the life to come in His eternal kingdom of peace. God's Word gives us advice and strengthens us spiritually so that we can meet the challenges of this world. There are many paths in life that often seem right to us, even though they actually lead to ruin. The Bible is the compass through which God shows us the right path so that we can walk safely without stumbling or getting lost. For this reason, it should be a great need for every person to read God's Word in order to learn what God has to say to them and what the path to true life looks like. To do this, it is important to consciously take time to study God's Word and meditate on it. This may mean putting other things in our lives aside or subordinating ourselves to studying the Word.
God's Word is like a double-edged sword that penetrates deep into our souls and brings to light the most hidden things in our hearts. This should lead to an inner renewal in our thoughts and actions. On the other hand, there are (believing) people who think they don't need to concern themselves with God's Word. Instead, they rely on their gut feeling or live the way they think is right. Such an attitude is not only foolish and an expression of indifference and disinterest in God, but also carries the risk of deceiving oneself and others. If even Jesus, the Son of God, used the Scriptures to stand up against the temptations of the devil, how much more do we need it.
If we understand that God's Word is at least as important to our lives as the food we eat every day, we will read the Bible with joy and attention. In this way, we can get to know our Creator and Heavenly Father ever better. And we will recognize that everything God tells us in His Word is right and useful. Those who love God will also be willing to be taught and transformed by His Word, even if this means giving up wrong beliefs and sinful habits. In return, God gives us His peace and true freedom. Those who believe in Jesus receive God's Spirit, who gives us insight and the correct understanding of God's Word. Equally important and helpful in this context is exchanging ideas with other Bible-believing Christians.
Jesus calls those who hear (or read) God's word and act accordingly blessed. Simply knowing what the Bible says is not enough. Therefore, reading the Bible cannot be merely a religious ritual; it must also have a visible impact on our lives. Jesus compares those who follow his instructions to a wise person who builds their house on a solid foundation. On the other hand, those who ignore his words, according to Jesus, are like someone who builds their house on sandy ground, risking its collapse at any moment. Moreover, such a person is an easy prey for the devil and his deceitful temptations, through which he leads people astray and thus causes them to fall. Therefore, it is not without reason that Jesus warns that many will have a rude awakening on the Day of Judgment. Although they thought they were on the right path, Jesus will tell them that in reality, they never belonged to him. However, if you keep to God's Word, your life will produce many good fruits and you can be sure that you will reach your goal.
For the word of the Lord is right and true; He is faithful in all He does.
I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
The unfolding of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.
All Your words are true; all Your righteous laws are eternal.
Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.
As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’" Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test. Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’ Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out, “Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you.” He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.