Reasons Why Christians Must Read Their Bibles
- Mar 6
- 7 min read
“Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.” (Psalm 119:105)
“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and don’t do the things I say?” (Luke 6:46)
I have a recurring nightmare.
I dream I’m in college, but have never attended my classes. I haven’t even read any of the class books. As the semester’s end draws near, I know my grades stink to high heaven, and I’m totally unprepared for finals.
Sheer academic terror.
Thankfully, that was not the case, although my early college years were a major challenge. If I had actually behaved like that, could I have legitimately called myself a student? Sure, on one level. I had enrolled and paid my fees. But on the critical level, and by that, I mean actually doing the work that confirmed I was a student, no way. My so-called status as a student would have been a lie.
You can say one thing while your actions deny your words.
The same is true about being Rabbi Jesus’ disciple.
What is a disciple? “The Greek term for ‘disciple’ in the New Testament is mathetes, which basically means ‘student’ or ‘learner.’ But a disciple is also a ‘follower,’ someone who adheres completely to the teachings of another, making them his rule of life and conduct” (gotquestions.org).
Did you catch the important part of that definition, “making them his rule of life and conduct”? Let me give you another assessment of what a disciple of a rabbi is from a 1st-century Jewish context:
“The idea of discipleship can be summed up with one biblical keyword: imitation. To be a disciple meant you were following a rabbi, a teacher. But the goal of a disciple wasn’t merely to master the rabbi’s teachings; instead, it was to master his way of life: how he prayed, studied, taught, served the poor and lived out his relationship with God, day to day. Jesus himself said that, when a disciple is fully trained, he becomes “like his teacher” (Lk 6:40). When St. Paul formed disciples, he exhorted them not just to remember his teachings but also to follow his way of living: “Be imitators of me as I am of Christ” (1 Cor 11:1). He exhorted them to lead others in the same way (2 Tim 2:2)” (https://focusequip.org/in-the-dust-of-the-rabbi-living-as-a-disciple-of-jesus/, italics author).
In other words, claiming to be a disciple means nothing without imitative action.
We Western Christians tend to have a big problem. We’re all talk and little action. The actions I’m referring to are not church programs, worship services, or community outreaches. It’s character. Being a genuine disciple of Jesus means learning His teachings and imitating Him.
Sadly, the Western Christian’s mindset focuses primarily on information, learning to gain information/data. The foundational Hebraic/biblical mindset starts with information, but the final goal is to put it into action.
I put it this way: “Study to Learn, Learn to Do.”
A disciple of Jesus is a person who devotes themselves to Jesus’ teachings and example, imitating Him as closely as possible (Matthew 10:25). He is our standard, our rule for life and conduct.
However, there are too many Christians who are not really followers of Jesus, although they profess that they are. Some are practical atheists in reality. An atheist is someone who denies God’s existence. In my opinion, a practical atheist is a Christian who says they believe in God, but live (practice) as if He doesn’t exist.
Some Christians claim to be disciples but act like they joined a club rather than live like committed students, intently and intentionally learning to become like Jesus in life by imitating His character, speech, and conduct, and by dedicating themselves to His Father’s will. And some so-called disciples act like they joined a religion where they perform rituals to please their personal god, then go live their lives on their terms. But does that make you disciple? Does such a disciple please Jesus and His Father?
We can’t separate “Christian” from “disciple.” Biblically speaking, to be a Christian means you have committed to being a disciple – committing yourself to learning how to be just like Rabbi Jesus. That’s how we are formed into the image of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18), who is the perfect image and reflection of His Father (Colossians 1:15).
“Christian” is the claim that you belong to Jesus. “Disciple” is the proof that you belong to Jesus. Therefore, if you claim to be a Christian, but don’t dedicate yourself to learning to be and act like Jesus as a disciple, are you really a Christian? If you’re not being a disciple, then that casts doubt on your claim to be a Christian, or even truly saved.
Yeah, I know. Salvation is by trusting God. So yes, you are saved without doing anything to earn salvation. But biblically speaking, once you’re saved, you are expected to begin your lifelong discipleship immediately.
So, you’ve enrolled as a student of Jesus. Good job. Congratulations. When are you going to hit the books, and by that, I mean, THE Book?
Doing is crucial to being a disciple of Jesus. Still, you can’t do it if you don’t know, and knowing means 1) reading, 2) studying, 3) hearing, 4) memorizing, and 5) meditating on God’s word (hat tip to the Navigators ministry for that 5-part summation).
Trying to be a disciple without reading the Bible is just like enrolling as a student and then never attending class or cracking the stupidly expensive college books (yes, that was a jab at academia).
And what happens as the end of your life’s semester draws near? Are you ready for the Final, or will it be sheer spiritual terror? May I share the fear of God with you?
What will it be like for practical atheist disciples, who have ignored God’s Word and thus failed to live Jesus’ way, when they hear “Go away. I never knew you, you lawless one, you who refuse to follow My commands” (Matthew 7:21-23)?
There are two factors in the above verse to consider: Didn’t follow Jesus’ commands is a matter of the will. Couldn’t follow Jesus’ commands is a matter of ignorance. We can correct ignorance more easily than our wills.
The core of Jesus’ raison d'être, His whole reason or purpose for existing on earth as a person, was to do His Father’s will: “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work” (John 4:34). Imitating Jesus means striving to follow the Father’s will continually. How can you follow the Father’s will if you don’t know Jesus’ commands, and how can you follow Jesus’ commands that shape your life to imitate His if you don’t know God’s word?
Therefore, reading and incorporating God’s word into our lives is an absolute necessity for a person who claims to be a Christian, a “little Christ,” a formerly derogatory word for 1st century disciples of Jesus because their focus was imitating their rabbi (Acts 11:26). The locals were picking on those who followed Rabbi Jesus’ movement.
And being a disciple is an absolute, non-negotiable for anyone calling themselves a Christian.
Hey, don’t whine at me. That’s Bible.
So, here are some additional reasons why we Christians must read the Bible, even on a daily basis if we can:
· (From gotquestions.org) “The Bible answers the basic questions of life: ‘What is the purpose of life? Where did I come from? Is there life after death? How do I get to heaven? Why is the world full of evil? Why do I struggle to do good?’ Also, the important questions, practical guidance: ‘How can I be a good friend? What is success, and how do I achieve it? How can I change? What really matters in life? How can I live so that I do not look back with regret? How can I handle the unfair circumstances and bad events of life victoriously? What do I look for in a mate? How can I have a successful marriage? How can I be a good parent?’”
We’ve all mulled over those questions, right? We don’t need to start with secular sources. Let’s start with the Bible because the words, ideas, and wisdom come directly from God’s mind. Here are some more practical reasons why Christians must read the Bible:
· The Bible is God’s revelation that reveals all we need to know for salvation and life in this world and the next. It reveals the way to salvation into eternal life with God, not eternal separation from God.
· The Bible reveals Jesus. How can we become like Jesus if we don’t know His character, teachings, and ways? Only revealed through the Bible. Yes, the Holy Spirit has been given to us to shape us into Jesus’ image, but the blueprint for that shaping is His word, the Bible. If we ignore the Bible, we ignore the only blueprint that reveals how to properly build a life that’s pleasing to our Heavenly Father.
· The Bible doesn’t change. But it changes us.
· The Bible helps us see what sin is and what right living is, i.e., God’s way. It actively helps us when we’re tempted.
· The Bible reveals God’s commands. How can we know our Father’s commands, which we’re required to follow as the rule for faith and practice, if we don’t read His commands? The Bible equips and guides us in serving our God the way He wants us to.
· The Bible shows us how to live life to the fullest, despite good or bad circumstances.
· The Bible identifies and counters false teaching, wisdom, and philosophies created by people. It is God’s word vs human words/perfect vs imperfect/truth vs lies/reality vs imagination, etc. (Assist from Grok.com)
My point is that the Bible is meant to be read and applied. If you are a Christian, you have enrolled in Jesus’ discipleship program for teaching and training. How do you expect to do it if you ignore His only instruction manual?
Worse yet, if you call yourself a Christian and refuse to study to learn, and learn to do, are you truly a disciple? Are you really worthy of the name Christian? Are you really saved?
Will you fail or pass your Final Exam?
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Shining the Light of God’s Truth on the Road Ahead
Pastor Jay Christianson
The Truth Barista, Frothy Thoughts