Why I Read the Bible

In September 1975 my newly born-again wife Ellen approached me one evening asking if she could ask me a few questions. Ever since she had become a Christian the month before I had become wary of these "conversations" but in my typical New York manner I invited her to bring it on. Her first question was "Do you believe in the Bible?" I answered like this: "Of course I believe in the bible ... all Episcopalians believe in the bible". I hadn't practiced my faith in years but I wasn't going to let her get the best of me. Ellen followed up with another question: "Do you believe in evolution?" I told her that all intelligent people believe in evolution - it is science! Ellen then said something that rocked my world ... she said this: "Then you don't believe in the Bible!" I quickly retorted "Well, I don't know about that but whatever the Episcopalians believe is what I believe."

That conversation really shook me because I had never read the bible and really didn't know what it said about evolution ... or about anything else for that matter. This haunted me for months. The idea that I had been an Episcopalian for most of my life and I really didn't know what the bible said really bothered me. In April 1976 I gave my heart to Jesus and almost immediately began reading the bible. I ate it up ... it was like food for me ... and within a year had read the whole bible. My life began to change as God used the scriptures to teach me how to live.

The scripture is powerful. In Hebrews it is described this way:
For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)
The way that the Holy Spirit uses the scripture to speak to us is simply amazing. He lifts the words off the page and penetrates the deepest recesses of our hearts. I have found the Bible to be a great source of comfort in times of trial. It has been a great encourager when I have been depressed. But reading the bible is more than a quest for knowledge ... reading it has done more than informing me about it's contents ... it has introduced me to God and helped me to know Him ... to know His ways ... His love ... His mercy and compassion. Reading the bible helps us know God like nothing else can.

4 comments:

  1. Its amazing isn't it? The LIVING Word. It really is alive because it speaks to us. I have had some amazing times in scriptures that almost felt like I was transported to another place. I hope that doesn't sound to weird. Lately, sadly, I haven't spent nearly enough time with God's Word, but that has been changing.

    Thanks for sharing this. I guess God used Ellen to bring you Him. She must have been an amazing woman.

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  2. Wow that's a great telling of you and God. Thanks.

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  3. I really like this post.....alot here my husband and I have been talking about......just wanted you to know I appreciated it.

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  4. Hi Bob,

    I agree that the Bible is not just a book. Thrity years as a Christian and I still can't get enough. It is our manna from heaven.

    Now that I'm older, I also greatly enjoy meditating on His Word as I have been reading it for so long that the thoughts expressed there have actually become my thoughts. Everything that happens in my daily life and in all the things that come before me to be considered are taken to Jesus and measured against His character as I have learned of Him from the Bible and experience Him in my life.

    We are blessed indeed to be able to hold in our hands the very words of God and seek His wisdom there every day.

    Pam

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