This post isn't about the media or 'secular' society. It's about people who say they follow Jesus and our attitude toward the Bible.
The last month has brought me into contact with an attitude I've seen over the years that just doesn't seem to go away. The attitude? Nearly everybody wants to hear from God, but a lot of Christ followers really don't like to read their Bible.
Yeah, I just don't really read my bible.
I find the Bible too confusing.
I don't get anything out of the Bible when I read it.
I wish God would just speak to me directly.
Bottom line: if you don't access God's word, your probably not going to hear from God. And your faith won't grow. And you won't develop an intimate relationship with Him. And you will end up making foolish decisions because you didn't consult God, but then you'll blame him for your misfortune. And you'll be frustrated because you'll think God bailed on you. But in reality, you bailed on Him.
Totally agree, Carey. It's a priority issue: people don't read their Bibles because they don't make hearing from God a priority in their lives. We're bombarded by so much information, people often just toss the Scriptures onto the pile of 'someday' information they'll take in. But when we see the Bible as a love letter from God instead of a list of rules and regulations, and when we choose to believe that God can and will speak to us through his Word, that's when life change starts happening. Thanks for the challenge.
Passionately His,
Jeff
Posted by: Jeff Loach | June 12, 2009 at 11:31 AM
You hit it straight on the head.
You want to hear from God and yet you don't read the Bible.
Those things are not separate.
When you read the Bible, try to look at it like this:
1. PRAY BEFORE READING! Ask the Holy Spirit to help you out.
2. When you read something that you think is to the Jews only or to the 1st century only, don't gloss over them. In Romans, Paul will say, "Jews...", replace that with "Christians..." and see if those words don't cut more clearly.
3. Above everything and all, remember that it is all about Jesus Christ. Old Testament to the New Testament.
For example, why did Adam and Eve was faithful and obedient to God even after the Fall. Answer: God preached the gospel of Christ to them: Genesis 3:15.
It either points forwards to Christ or points back to Christ.
Posted by: Joseph Louthan | June 12, 2009 at 11:46 AM
I used to feel that way, until I made a decision to FORCE myself to read the Bible every day. Not a nice way to put it, but it definitely felt tougher than a "committment." Anyway, I started experiencing times when I had a particular problem, the Word would address it the next morning. First time it happened, I thought it was a coincidence, but the next time it happened, I knew that was God speaking to me. I can't tell you how many times that has happened. God really is amazing in the ways that He speaks to us, if we would only give Him the chance - by reading His Word.
Posted by: Tim | June 12, 2009 at 12:07 PM
I've enjoyed the series Carey. Had a fire hose worth of it today. I feel like I'm hearing more now than ever before. I guess, that's the point. As we grow closer to Him, we hear a lot more of the message.
I got a really good study Bible and found myself reading 10 verses, and then reading the commentary. Read a few more verses, read the notes.
While it helped greatly tie scripture to other scripture and get a better grasp on timing of everything, I really think I've learned more in the past year just reading my pocket ESV Bible with no commentary. I read more and have no agenda or plan that I'm following. I read until I need to stop. Typically I stop because I need to think about what I read and apply.
Well, That was a longer comment than I intended. Later
Posted by: Andy Darnell | June 12, 2009 at 10:10 PM
Some great comments and stories here. Thank you! The Bible really is the #1 way I hear from God. It's so powerful.
Let's keep talking - why do you think people DON'T read their Bibles?
Posted by: Carey Nieuwhof | June 13, 2009 at 08:17 AM
Why don't people read their Bibles? Well who has time for that?? It seems like all we have time for is to sit back and wait for God to speak to us, and we forget that he already has..in His word. There is nothing better than a nice kick in the butt from scripture. This was mine this morning, and I think it might apply to a few more of us Christians.
"You see and recognize what is right
but refuse to act on it.
You hear with your ears,
but you don't really listen." Isaiah 42:20
I think we need to realize that the Bible is so much more than just the boring book the pastor read in church when we were little, before he talked for a really long time....It seems like we don't realize how amazing and interesting the Bible really is..and how clearly God really DOES speak to us..
Posted by: Jay | June 13, 2009 at 01:02 PM