By: Nathan Ecarma
The Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin.
Just kidding,
the book every Christian needs to read is the Bible. Many agree completely, yet the vast majority of people fail to follow through with reading it every day:
Why is it important to read the Bible every day?
Firstly, God commands His people to read it every day, suffice to say, we should (Joshua 1:8, Psalm 1:1-2, John 5:39, 1 Timothy 4:13,).
Secondly, the Bible holds the truth of the gospel. Now Christians should be familiar with the Gospel, and if they already understand and have faith in the Gospel, they have no need to read the Bible, right? Well… no.
Throughout Jesus’ ministry, his disciples constantly “believed.” Take Peter for example. John 2:11 describes the disciples believing in him, then John 2:22 says, “When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.”
Four chapters later, Simon Peter explains that he believes Jesus has the words of eternal life and the role of the Holy One of God. In Matthew’s Gospel, Simon Peter says, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (16:16). Then John 16:29 explains the disciples believing in Christ again. Simon Peter again believed at the sight of the empty tomb (John 20:8).
Throughout Jesus’ ministry, Simon Peter continually had his faith deepened as he witnessed the glory of Christ. Several times, Simon Peter believes on account of the Scripture and words of Christ (John 2:22; 6:68-69; 20:9-10).
Furthermore, John’s Gospel says,
“Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God and that by believing you may have life in his name” (20:30-31).
John explains that God has given the Scriptures in order that people believe. Simon Peter gives a clear image of how a Christian studying the words of Christ has their understanding and faith deepened.
How Shall We Then Live?
Christians should follow the example of the Bereans by examining the Scriptures daily (John 5:39, Acts 17:11).
Solomon wrote, “It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out” (Proverbs 25:2). God calls Christians to a kingly task, so Christians may have their faith developed. Christians should continuously say, “I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24).
St. Augustine (of Hippo) wrote, “The Holy Scriptures are our letters from home.”
Within these letters lay the Christian’s blessed hope, and this blessed hope
cannot be thoroughly understood at first glance, but should be accompanied by
the daily study of the Scriptures (2 Peter 1:5, Psalm 1:1-2; 119:9-11, ).
