Articles
The Bible's Demands
The Bible is a demanding book, actually a collection of demanding books.
The Bible demands that it be read. “When this letter is read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and you, for your part read my letter that is coming from Laodicea” (Colossians 4:16). “Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy. . .” (Revelation 1:3). Without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6), and faith comes by hearing His word (Romans 10:17).
The Bible demands that it be believed. Revelation 1:3 continues, “And heed the things which are written in it.” The word of God performs its work in those who believe (1 Thessalonians 2:13). Our salvation comes through belief in the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:13).
The Bible demands that it be obeyed. “But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves” (James 1:21). The doer, not the forgetful hearer, is the one who is blessed (v. 25). It is in obedience to the truth that we purify our souls (1 Peter 1:22). Jesus is the source of salvation to those who obey Him (Hebrews 11:9).
The Bible demands that it be respected. It is our sole communication from God. It is the faith “once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3). “But if we or, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, let him be accursed!” (Galatians 5:8). “Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son” (2 John 9). We must “learn not to exceed what is written” (1 Corinthians 4:6). And we dare not dismiss the Bible simply because of its age. “For ‘All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls off, but the word of the Lord endures forever.’ And this is the word we preached to you” (1 Peter 1:24-25); the living and enduring word (v. 23).
The Bible demands that it be defended. “. . . I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints” (Jude 3). “O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called ‘knowledge’—which some have professed and thus gone astray from the faith” (1 Timothy 6:20-21a).
The Bible is the only truly “must-read” book. Prioritize it. Make time for it in your daily routine. Carry it with you in your heart. You will be blessed in so many ways for doing so.
