Who are you reading the Bible for?
I cannot count the number of times I have been in a Bible class and heard people make the comment that the passage the group is covering shows how others in the religious world are wrong. Others perhaps say, “This is a good passage for (fill in the blank) to show them they are wrong and should change!”
In the New Testament we are called to stand for truth and oppose those who change or misrepresent the truth of God. However, I fear that sometimes our rebukes of other religious groups is a way to make us feel better about ourselves.
I fear a problem which plagues God’s people is that we read our Bible on behalf of others, rather than ourselves. We examine the Bible to see how others are wrong, and what they should be doing differently.
This type of attitude implies that we are not in need of God’s word! When we read the Bible, we should be asking ourselves, “What can I learn from this? What do I need to change in my life?” How refreshing to hear a person say, “I needed to read God’s word today. I know now I need to make changes in my life.” We sometimes pretend we have all the answers and are merely looking out for others who violate God’s word, not realizing we may be the ones in violation. We need to learn to read God’s word and correct our lives so that we are pleasing to God. The one who humbly serves God will be able to lead others to the truth as they see you are seeking to live according to God’s commands.
Consider the following points:
1. God’s consistent rebuke of his people
The nations which dwelt around Israel were notably wicked. At many points during the prophetic books the prophets would rebuke the nations around Israel (Isa. 13-23; Jer. 46-51; Ezek. 25-32; Amos 1-2; Jonah 1-4). However, most of God’s messages to his prophets were directed toward his people, and how they needed to change their lives! Israel was supposed to be priests to the nations (Ex. 19:4-6), but they could do no good to the nations if their lives were filled with sin! God spent a majority of His time seeking to correct the lives of His own people and instructing them how they needed to live.
God’s own people needed His word to direct and lead their life and we as God’s people in the New Testament do as well.
2. Is God’s word a mirror to us?
As we read God’s word, are we careful to apply it to our life in order to allow it to change us? We need to carefully examine God’s word for our own benefit. We need to read God’s words so that we change our mistakes and live according to the way He has commanded us.
As we read the Bible, let us do so in order to become better and more faithful followers of our Lord!
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