“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” 2 Timothy 3:16.

Recently, I shared that my brother, for whom I have prayed for over 20 years, has come to know the Lord. The change in Him is so incredible that it even revives my spirit.

He began reading the Bible within days of becoming a follower of Jesus Christ. He and I are similar in that regard. Once we came to know the Lord, we wanted to know everything we could about Him. We just devoured the word of God.

The Holy Spirit revealed to my brother and I that, if we wanted to know more about God, we should just read the Bible.

The Bible is so much more to humanity than a mere book about God, though. The Bible is a handbook on how to live the Christian life. It is a history book of mankind’s relationship with God. It is an autobiography, written by God, about God. And it is a love letter from God to us. When we have questions about God, our relationship with Him, what He desires for our lives, or what He has planned for us, we should just read the Bible.

The Bible reveals man’s adventure with God, beginning with Adam, the very first man God ever created, and ending with mankind’s final judgement. It is both a history book and a book of prophecy. When we want to know our history — or our future — we should just read the Bible.

Likewise, when we want to understand who God is, we only need to turn to the scripture. There, we find that He is love. “Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.” 1 John 4:8. We also find that the only reason that we love Him is because He loved us first. “We love because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19. And He desires that none would perish without knowing Him in a way that would bring about eternal life. “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9.

Our opening verse today explains that scripture is inspired and “breathed” out by God. God, through the Holy Spirit, led various men (like Paul and Timothy) to write the Bible. Each one wrote in a unique manner, conveying what the Holy Spirit led in a way that only God could.

When we look at the Gospels in particular (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), we see four different authors. These authors wrote about a lot of the same things but from a different view and perspective. When combined, the Gospels provide us with a broader, more transparent understanding of who our Savior is through His life, death, and resurrection.

The opening verse also explains that God’s word was given to us “for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” The Bible is full of constructive, convicting verses that are meant to reproof, correct, and train us. It enables us to walk in a more God glorifying, honoring manner and leads us towards freedom from sin and it’s consequences.

In the next verse (2 Timothy 3:17), we see that God provided the Bible for our benefit and equipping. “…that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:17. God has called us to specific good works. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” Ephesians 2:10. The Bible fully equips us for those works. God does this through verses such as, “Then he said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” Mark 16:15.

When we want to know what God expects from us and how to live a life that pleases Him, we should just read the Bible. It is His training manual to us. ³⁷Jesus replied: “‘Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ ³⁸This is the first and greatest commandment. ³⁹And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ⁴⁰All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:37-40.

When we want to know where God is calling us to go, we should just read the Bible. It is His map for us. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105.

When we want to know God’s plan for our lives, we should just read the Bible. It is His blueprint for us. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11.

When we want to know what God thinks of us, we should just read the Bible. It is a love letter, detailing His love for us. “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8.

The Bible tells us that God wants us to have an abundant life “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” John 10:10.

It also tells us that He wants to spend eternity with us. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16.

Think about it. God gave His only Son to pay the penalty for our sin. Through Him, we obtain forgiveness, an abundant life, and eternity in Heaven. That sounds like a pretty incredible love letter to me.

The Bible represents a gift from God, written for those He loves. It is intended to guide, instruct, correct, and lead us to a loving, eternal relationship with Him. And it is eternal. “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” Matthew 24:35.

Without God, we are a confused, rebellious, and hopeless people. All the answers to our questions are found within the bindings of His word. Its pages contain hope, joy, peace, and the promises of God. We should just read the Bible.

Father God, forgive us for not desiring more of You. Forgive us for not hungering to read Your word and to develop a more intimate relationship with You, through it. Holy Spirit, please, convict us to read the Holy word of God. Create in us an insatiable thirst for your word.

Father, we thank you for your word; for its endurance and for the love letter that it is to us. We praise you that, within those beautiful pages, our Savior resides and can be found. Help us to ingest your word, hide it in our hearts, and share it with others because we know that your word always produces results, Father. We praise you for that as well. “…so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11.

Let’s read the Bible and glorify our Father in Heaven by sharing it with others. “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20.

If you do not know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior and have never read the Bible, please do the next couple of things I ask of you. They will be the most important choices you ever make. First, please go to our Life Preserver page (https://forgiven-n-loved.com/life-preserver/) and pray the prayer that is outlined there. Through that prayer God wants to forgive you of your sin and begin building a beautiful and loving relationship with you. Next, please begin to read the Bible. I promise you that God will speak to you through His beautiful word. If you don’t have a Bible or if you have any questions, please reach out to me at admin@Forgiven-N-Loved.com.

Also, if you have prayed that prayer, please reach out to me. I’d love to be in prayer for you.

Luv Ya!