2 Peter 1 : 20-21 « Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. »
Esaïe 34 : 16 « Look
in the scroll of the Lord and read: None of these will be missing, not one will
lack her mate. For it is his mouth that has given the order, and his Spirit
will gather them together. »
Revelation 1 :
3 « Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy,
and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.»
The Bible, not a
book interpreting the Bible or articles on human understanding of the Bible, is
the fundamental book of life for all Christians. There is only one book that
contains the Word of God: the Bible. And we must read it and ask the Holy
Spirit to help us understand it. For not reading the Word of God, or reading it
without understanding it, is dangerous, because we are called to live by it and
be an example to those who do not yet know God.
And so it is that
many have allowed themselves to be drawn into the case of certain men who have
passed on to them false interpretations of the Word, interpretations which I
call "Did God really say". So I can't stress enough the importance of
reading the Bible to avoid confusion and to be vigilant.
God has not given
any man a special message that contradicts what is written in the Bible, nor is
it above the Bible. No particular message can take precedence over the
"Thus saith the Lord" of the Bible. All of these special messages and
interpretations have led to confusion within the Body of Christ, which in turn
has given rise to various religious sects.
1 Timothy 6 : 3-5 « If anyone teaches
otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord
Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, he is proud,
knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from
which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wranglings of men
of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a
means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.»
Why should we read the Bible
first?
A. For the knowledge of the basics of a life that is a reflection of
the holiness and power of Jesus.
John 5 : 39 « You search the Scriptures, for in them you think
you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. »
God has given only one word that applies to all; for you cannot have
several constitutions in force in one kingdom.
God did not give separate instructions to each believer. Imagine the
chaos if for some lying and fornication were not sins, while for others they
were. So if we want to live a life based on God's instructions - which is what
we're asked to do - we need to read His Word, which is written in the Bible,
and no other book.
Deuteronomy 6 : 6-9 « And
these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach
them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your
house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You
shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between
your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your
gates. »
This way, we'll know what God expects of us and can truly be in the
image of Jesus. For how can you imitate someone you don't know?
B. To know God
John 1 : 1-4 « In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was
with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All
things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4
In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. »
God is not a physical Being we can see and touch. He is a Spirit and
communicates with us only through his Word. God's identity and thoughts reside
in his Word. If a believer doesn't read it and meditate on it, he will always
be confused, as Eve was, every time the devil, through false teachers and
prophets, comes to ask : “Did God really say”. If I want to know an author
personally, I can't first refer to and rely solely on the writings of his
critics. I must first read his works.
To discern and refute false doctrines, you need to know the truth. You
can't refute lies with lies, because only light can dispel darkness.
Titus 1 : 9 « holding fast the faithful word as he has been
taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict
those who contradict. »
Knowing God by reading His Word helps us not only to live according to
His will, but also to be models for non-believers, both in our actions and in
our teaching, which aims to make disciples of Jesus. For no one can teach with
excellence what he has not mastered!
C.
To teach the Word
2 Timothy 4 : 2-3 « Preach the word! Be ready in season
and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and
teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine,
but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will
heap up for themselves teachers; »
In both the New and the Old Testaments, God asks us to pass on His Word
without changing its meaning. And in today's world, near the end, where many
false teachers and prophets are actively trying to seduce people and take away
their salvation, as Jesus told us, the preaching of the gospel of Jesus
throughout the world is of paramount importance. And for the Gospel to be preached in truth,
faithful to God's mind, it's important to know it. To know it, we must read it
at its source, which is none other than the Bible. To understand it, one must
rely on the author, who is none other than the Holy Spirit, and not turn to
external interpretations.
2 Peter 1 : 20-21 « Above all, you must understand that no
prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of
things. For prophecy never had its
origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they
were carried along by the Holy Spirit. »