The Book
Another year is underway, and I have again undertaken the task of reading through the Bible in this time. I did this the first time in 1976. My pastor challenged our entire church to read through the entire Bible, and gave us a reading plan that would allow us to accomplish that feat. I was a sixteen-year-old junior in high school when I started, and was a senior, seventeen years old when I completed it. It was a life changing experience for me.
I had read “Bible stories” my entire life. I could recite the books of the Bible in order. I had memorized several verses. But I had never read the entire book. I didn’t really understand how the story flowed. It was hard at times (Leviticus and Chronicles are a slow read for a teenage boy). But I persevered. And again, it changed my life.
Only four months after completing my reading through the Bible I answered the call into ministry. God used my time in His word to make clear that He was calling me to be a pastor, something I have now been doing for more than 42 years. And He gave me a desire to learn more about the Bible so that I could teach it to others.
I went on to college, and to seminary (two times) after that. And I have bought book after book with the intent to help me have a better understanding of what the Bible truly says. I hate to say it, but there is an appalling ignorance of the Bible, even in the church. And it’s not just that some people believe that the epistles were the wives of the apostles.
I’ve heard people quote John Wesley (cleanliness is next to godliness) and claim it is in the Bible. I’ve even heard someone quote Jiminy Crickets (Let your conscience be your guide) and say it is in the Bible. Not so. I’ve also heard people say, “The Bible contains the Word of God,” when it is actually true that, “The Bible is the Word of God.”
The Bible itself says that God’s Word is rich and powerful, often acting like a sword that cuts deeply in order to bring healing. The Bible contains the answers to our most significant questions. Are you as familiar with your Bible as you should be? Let me encourage you to read it alone, study it with others, and to, “Hide its word in your heart.” You’ll be glad you did.
