Dan, The Bible Just Doesn't Seem Relevant
I came across some research this week that highlighted the Bible reading habits of people who profess to be Christians.
The numbers, if accurate, suggest that reading the Bible (let alone studying it) is only a priority for about 1/3 of those who responded.
One third!
Over half of those questioned said that they read the Bible "once in a while" or "rarely".
Some of the most popular reasons for the results were things like...
People are too busy
The Bible is too hard to understand
It's irrelevant to our lives
Irrelevant? That one I don't get.
The Bible talks about money, relationships, sex, parenting, marriage, how to live and what happens after we die.
How are those things not relevant to you and me?
Maybe we don't like what the Bible says about those subjects...maybe that's the real issue...but I digress.
Seems to me the Bible is very relevant...but I would argue that those things aren't even the most important things for us to consider.
They are important but they aren't the most important. In fact, if we make them the most important, we will miss what is.
Consider Paul's prayer...
"For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God..." Colossians 1:9-10
Why is the Bible relevant?
- It reveals God's will to us and for us
- We gain understanding
- We learn how to please the Lord
- We bear fruit
- We grow in the knowledge of God
"The word of the Lord is flawless" - 2 Sam 22:31
"I have hidden your word in my heart, so I won't sin against thee." Ps 119:11
"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." Ps 119:105
"Sanctify them by the truth...your word is truth." John 17:17
"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness..." 2 Tim 3:16-17
"The word of God is living and active..." Heb 4:12
I don't know about you, but all that seems relevant. In fact, I would argue highlights what we are ultimately about. More than money, houses, parenting, etc as important as those things are...to grow in our knowledge of God to live in such a way that brings Him honour.
So why wouldn't we read it more?
Being a Christian but not reading the Bible would be like being married and not spending time with your spouse. No conversations, no shared experiences, no getting to know each other better. No relationship. Does that make sense?
Of course not.
Maybe the Bible is more relevant than we first thought?
I think it is.
What do you think?
Are you in the one third? If so, that's great. If you're closer to the 50+% that rarely read the Bible, why is that?
Let me know, I'd love to hear from you.
Until next time - Dan