Answers

By   •   April 10, 2014   •   Topics:

Q:

I don't mean to offend you, but I've tried to read the Bible and found it kind of dull. And yet some of my friends find it exciting. What's wrong? Why don't I get anything out of it?


A:

In reality, the Bible should be the most exciting book you’ll ever read! The reason is, this isn’t just another book; it is God’s Word, and through its pages God speaks to us. Think of it: The Creator of the universe wants to talk to you!

What does He want to tell you? First, He wants to tell you about Himself — who He is, what He is like, and what He has done for you. We can understand some things about God by looking at the world He created, but we only fully understand Him by discovering what He’s told us in the Bible.

But God also wants to tell us He loves us, and the proof is that He came down from heaven in the person of His Son, Jesus, who gave His life for us. This is why the best place for you to begin reading the Bible is in one of the Gospels (I often suggest John), because there you’ll discover who Jesus is and what He has done for us. Because of Jesus, “we know and rely on the love God has for us” (1 John 4:16).

Get a modern translation you can understand, and set aside time each day to read through one of the Gospels — perhaps only a few paragraphs at first. As you open it, humbly ask God to make its meaning clear. Most of all, ask God to help you apply its truth to your life, because “Your word is a lamp for my feet, and a light on my path” (Psalm 119:105).