A few years ago, I went through a period of really doubting God and my faith. I had a lot of questions about what I believed. One of the biggest ones was: How do I know the Bible is reliable and real?
I’ve included a few resources on the bottom of this post
that were very helpful to me in helping me gain a understanding and trust in
God’s Word. But to be honest, the biggest way I’ve gained faith in God’s Word
is by diving into it and studying it for myself! I remember two years ago, I hardly had any desire or hunger for God’s Word. I’d grown up reading it, but
I did this more out of duty and because my parents told me too.
Two years ago, when I started walking in the light (See my
last post), I was a part of a small group led by a man with a passion and
knowledge of God’s Word that I so desperately wanted. Tonight as I write this,
I can say with 100% honesty that God has been faithful in giving me that
passion for His Word.
The other night in a small group I was leading, one of the
guys in my group asked the following question, “Can a person be a believer and not
read God’s Word?”
This of course started a pretty long conversation with a lot of
thoughts that were thrown out. But I truly believe this question can be answered by realizing who we have become when we place our faith in Christ's death and resurrection. If God has cleansed us with Jesus’ blood, if we are living in the good
of what He has done for us, we are going to have some type of desire for God’s
Word. Even when I didn’t have a complete hunger, desire and awe for God’s Word,
I knew that God’s Word was written for my good and I recognized that I needed it
more.
Ezekiel 36:25-27 says, “I will sprinkle clean water on you, and
you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will
cleanse you. And I will give you a
new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart
of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you,
and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.”(ESV)
When this was written, it was a promise of what was to come. It was a foreshadowing of when Jesus was going to die on
the cross and atone for our sins. It's saying when we put our faith in the blood of Jesus, we are then cleansed. Then look at what it says God will do, “I will remove the heart
of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” You literally are getting a new
heart at conversion. This new heart knows what is from God and has discernment as to what is from the world. Not only do we receive a new heart, we now have a new spirit that causes us to
walk in God’s ways. So to answer the question, “Can we a believer and not read
God’s Word?”
Yes and no. Yes, if you have no access to it. A lot of believers
don’t have God’s Word in their languages, but they would give a
lot to get it. But no, if you do have access to it. Because you are going to have some sort of desire
for it. You may not have a deep burning passion to study it for hours each day, but you’ve been given a new heart. Therefore you know that the Word of
God is one of the biggest means for you as a believer to know Him.
I want to challenge you. Don’t take God’s Word for granted. Most of us have 5 copies in 5 different translations on our
shelves and read it because it’s what a believer is suppose to do. That's what I did for a long time.
When I saw my small group leader’s passion and desire for God’s Word and was
jealous of it. I started praying every morning for that same kind of passion
and desire. I cried out to Him every morning to give me a hunger, to show me
new things, to make me fall in love with His Word. And after about two weeks of
doing this every morning, God answered that prayer. The last two years, God has
taught me so much through His Word and I can’t go a day without opening it and
God revealing Himself to me.
If you currently have no desire or hunger for God’s Word, if
you currently look at it as a check box on your daily list of things to do.
Stop for a second and consider what you are holding in your hands. It is the
Word of God. God has revealed himself to us and we now have access to growing
in our understanding and knowledge of Him.
I think the most important thing we need
to understand is that the Word of God is one of the most vital ways for us as believers to deepen
our relationship with God. It is the key for us as believers to be able to
understand how God has called us to live in this life. It is the way we as
believers can understand and gain a greater image of just how great the God we
really are serving. Dive into God’s Word and find satisfaction that is not
found in this world.
A couple resources that have served me immensely in doubting God's Word a couple years ago:
1) “The New Testament Documents: Are They Reliable?” by F.F.
Bruce.
http://www.amazon.com/The-New-Testament-Documents-Reliable/dp/0802822193/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1348004806&sr=8-1&keywords=are+the+new+testament+documents+reliable
2) MP3 “Can We Trust Our Bibles?” by Peter Williams
http://sgm.edgeboss.net/download/sgm/next/2011/next2011.s3-williams.mp3
Tuffer....I can see the evidence of God's living word in you and it makes me want to read his word more and know him better....thanks for being a living example to all of us!!!! I love your blog!
ReplyDeleteHey Chris!
ReplyDeleteI came to this post from your link on Facebook. Caleb and I enjoyed reading through and thinking about your questions, challenges and responses. Since you specifically asked for other people's opinions, I'm going to take you up on that!
1) The main question that this post was based on was: "Can a person be a believer and not read God’s Word?” First, we were wondering what time frame "reading God's Word" had to fall into. Can a person be a believer and not read God's Word every DAY? Every week? Every year? Ever in their whole life?
We don't believe that the answer changes, but we do think it's a very important clarification.
2) "Reading" God's Word... Is this differentiating between hearing God's Word, memorizing God's Word, singing God's Word, knowing God's Word, praying God's Word, writing God's Word, talking about God's Word, thinking about God's Word? There are nearly endless avenues to how the truth found in Scripture is delivered, applied and enjoyed in our lives. I'm not even slightly arguing that "reading" is not important or meaningless, no, no, it's crucial! But I was wondering if the comment was specific to just "reading."
3) Can you be a Believer and not read God's Word? ABSOLUTELY! The *only* thing required to be a believer is to... believe! Nothing more, nothing less. Saved by faith. Christians anywhere in the world can become Christians, and remain Christians, and grow as Christians, until they arrive in glory, without "reading the Bible." God makes it clear that nothing we do contributes to or sustains salvation - its all Him. Reading His Word is included in that. You wrote: "...the Word of God is one of the biggest means for you as a believer to know Him." Potentially - but it is not what marks or keeps you as a Christian. This leads to another point all-together...
4) Now, I don't mind the question, but I think what the *real* question is is "Can you be a believer and not want God?" Another question would be "Can you be a believer and not be growing in holiness; not be being sanctified and made more like God?" The answer to those questions are emphatically NO. First of all, God is the one who justifies and He has made a promise that if you are justified, you WILL be sanctified. You WILL be growing more holy, more perfect, and more like God. Just like justification, sanctification is an act of God, NOT something we do to ourselves.
ReplyDeleteSanctification is NOT our pursuit of holiness, but God's promise of holiness. It is not our pursuit of studying scripture, praying, or "worshipping," but it is a promise that we will want to be like God, and that someday we will be perfect (and holy.)
It is impossible for a believer to NOT be growing in God, because God has promised to make us like Him, no matter what (including if we don't read His Word. Nothing can stop God's promises from coming to pass.)
Also, it is impossible for a believer to not *truly* desire God. Jesus never forced anyone to follow Him. He said, "If you want me, and life, and salvation, you can have it! Anyone can take it and have it. Those who are thirsty, come drink!" The rich young ruler, for example, didn't want Jesus more than he wanted his wealth. The Pharisees wanted their own righteousness more than God's love. The prodigal son, initially, wanted all the world had to offer, but then realized all he could ever need and want was found with his Father. But the elder son wanted honor and praise for his good works (maybe even his disciplined Bible reading), but not his Father. God has always wanted us. And He wants us to want Him. That's what salvation is: I want You, and everything You offer, more than I want myself and everything I offer.
Salvation isn't *just* freedom from sin, and safety from Hell. Salvation is being called "God's own" and having right to Him and EVERYTHING that is His. Every good gift God has in His store places and heart, from the moment of salvation to eternity is ours. And every gift makes us love the Great Gift-Giver more than *any* gift in and of itself. God's Word is an incredible gift that helps us know and love God more. It, however, wasn't designed to help us love "scripture" more; but God more! We are to be passionate about God!
So, in closing: can someone be an Believer and not read the Bible? YES. Is that likely? No. Any believer is not going to make it very long without craving GOD more, and the Bible is a fantastically beautiful way to start feeding those cravings... again and again and again. It certainly is one the dearest gifts He has ever given this world.
Thank you for an avenue where we can respectfully disagree with each other (though I'd be willing to bet we both are *probably* saying the same thing. I just felt unclear with your post that answered the question: "Can someone be a believer and not read the Bible?" with a no (so long as it was accessible to you.) I don't see that answer in scripture, nor in the definition of the gospel of salvation and life!
Keep thinking and sharing!
------
“This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.” // Hebrews 10:16
"Those who sanctify and purify themselves... shall come to an end together." // Leviticus 21
"I, the Lord, who sanctify you, am holy." // Isaiah 66
Thanks Kristen for your response and thoughts. I highly doubt I'll answer all your questions in my response. But I do want to start off by saying I'm pretty sure we are on the same page...
DeleteI definitely do not believe that "reading your bible" in any way saves a person or makes that person a "better" person in the eyes of the Lord. My heart behind the post was to show that when we do place our faith in Christ, when we repent of our sins and believe in Jesus death and resurrection, we are made new creations. The passage that I quoted above from Ezekiel states that God will "Remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh."
I believe that an evidence of receiving this heart of flesh is having a desire for God's Word. There is a clear command in Colossians 3:16 too, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly..."
2 Timothy 3:16-17 also says, "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work."
There is something unique about reading and studying the Word of God. It was written by God to equip us, to be able to correct one another, to make us competent children of God, to train us in righteousness.
Now can a person be a believer and not read the Word of God? I completely agree with you, absolutely. But I do believe that person will most definitely have some sort of desire for it, because if a person is truly saved. They will have a desire for the things of God.
Which leads to your final point of Sanctification.
Yes, it is God's promise to make us holy like him. But it does take effort on the believer's part as well. James 2 is pretty clear that our "works" are an evidence of faith. We will desire, seek and want the things of God if we are saved.
Philippians 2:12-13, "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure."
God is working in us, but at the same time we are called to "work out your own salvation." Three verses later in verse 16 it says, "holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain." So what is key to sanctification? Holding fast to God's Word and fighting daily temptations and sins.
1 Peter 1:13-14, "Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance."
It's a pretty clear call from the Lord to prepare our minds. To get ready to be faced with temptations from Satan. "To fight the good fight of faith." So yes, it is God who is the one who makes us holy like Him. But our works are evident of our salvation. We are going to desire, to yearn to please the Lord in all that we do. So maybe a better question is "Can a person be a believer and not have a desire to read the Word of God?" Which I'd say no. We've been given a new heart and new desires when we repented of our sins and believed in Christ. We are going to want God's Word.
Thanks again for responding and would love to hear your thoughts on my thoughts.
Chris
"'Can a person be a believer and not have a desire to read the Word of God?' Which I'd say no." <-- Now this question comes down to timeframe. Do you mean daily? Do you mean "consistently"? Do you mean ever? There are often days and weeks and seasons where believer's do not have ANY desire to "read the Bible." There are seasons where choosing to not read the Bible is actually helpful. That may cause you to prickle a little bit, but I'll be honest: I think some of the Pharisee's would have been served to get their noses out scripture, and sit down at a meal with some prostitutes and tax-collectors and have a great, unjudgemental, humble evening of eating, drinking and conversation. I believe with all my heart that that would have been a source of life and refreshment from God for them.
ReplyDeleteReading the Word of God is one of the MANY spiritual disciplines, and OFTEN believer's will have a desire to do other disciplines, and at times believers may not have a desire to do any of them. But they needn't worry. God will not let them go or change His promises regarding them. They are still safe.
"You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to ME that you may have life." John 5
I think sometimes it is easy for believer's to think that because they are spending much time in God's Word, they are spending much time with GOD. That might be the case, but life is not found *in scripture* it is found *in God.* And scripture bears witness to God! But the Book itself is not Your Father, Friend and Brother. It is a Holy Witness and True Autobiography and Living Source of Power.
Can a person be a believer and not have a desire to read the Word of God? Yes. They can. It will happen to all of us at some point. Can a person be a believer and not desire *God*? Now there is a question. Can an elder son obey his father perfectly, and not desire his father? Can Paul keep his Lord's commands blamelessly, and not desire his Lord? Can one diligently read God's Word searching for eternal life, and not desire God? Can a believer be SO burdened and weary, that they have no desire to breath another breath, let alone read the Bible? Can a Christian be SO proud of their excellence in the spiritual discipline of "Bible reading" that it would do them good to consider the practice rubbish, on order to gain Christ? To maybe take a break from "being so perfect" so that they cannot brag about their discipline?
----
Out of curiosity, where in Scripture do you see that "it takes effort on the believer's part to become holy"?
James 2 mentions justification and faith multiple times, but says nothing about holiness and sanctification. James 2 is essentially saying that your works will reveal what you really believe/have faith in. "Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith BY my works." It's certainly an aggressive and bold portion of scripture, which reenforces that faith is not just lip-service and a casual "Oh yeah! I believe in God." Heck, the demons BELIEVE in Me! They know I'm real! If someone comes to you in need, don't say like an idiot "I'm a man of faith! Go in peace! And be warmed and filled." No, give them food! And give them clothes! Be peace to them! Don't offer some spiritual lip-service, offer yourself. <-- This is all good and crucial, but not how we become holy or sanctified or perfect. This is how our faith is shown to be alive. Very different topics.
That Philippians verse, in my opinion, only shows that it is God who makes us holy, not something we do ourselves. Here is another way to say the same verse: "Therefore, my dear friends, you have always obeyed in front of me when I was with you, but now! Now! continue to obey even when I'm away from you... carry on with or continue in your salvation with great regard and importance for your salvation, because *it is God who works in you*, both because that is His perfect will AND His delightful pleasure!"
ReplyDeleteThese verses make it sweetly clear that God is the One who works in us, and we need only carry-on with great joy and understanding that He is the One who happily, and assuredly changes us.
"So what is key to sanctification? Holding fast to God's Word and fighting daily temptations and sins." To be honest, this sentence is a *little* scary to me. I could maybe see a case (and might even argue a case!) that the key to sanctification is "Holding fast to GOD," (seeing as He is the One who sanctifies), but you did not post ANY scripture about "fighting daily temptations and sins." I also don't see, myself, scriptural exhortation to "fight sin as a way to become holy."
(By the way, "fight the good fight of faith" is one of my favorite lines in scripture. And I LOVE it because it does not say "fight the good fight of beating sin." "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." Fight the good fighting of believing what you cannot see, of being SO sure of Who you hope in, that you are not shaken. Fight the good fight of resting in someone else! It was a bloody battle for Him, but He conquered... and now your victory is secure. You will not lose because I have already won. Believe in Me, have faith in Me, and don't convince yourself of anything but the promise of hope and good things through Me.)
But back to "fighting sin to make us holy." It might seem obvious: Sin makes us dirty and unholy. Get rid of the sin. Become holy! And we all know that it is because of God we have the strength/grace/ability to "fight" and "get rid of sin," so that *must* be how we become holy! Honestly, I don't see it in scripture. I see Paul saying that when he first became a Christian, he was blameless when it came to keeping God's commands and obeying Him. He claims to have perfectly obeyed. "A Hebrew of Hebrews! And a Pharisee." He counts that obedience as rubbish, "in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of *my own* that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that *depends on faith.*" This is talking about him when he was already a Christian!
I see Pharisees being verbally ripped apart for their good works. Blasted for their praying, tithing, teaching of Scripture (Bible reading) and law-keeping. I see elder sons who obey commands and resist sin and temptation... Only to find out that they are FAR more "sinful" than the brother who offended his father and family, enjoyed frequent sex with whomever he pleased, and lived a drunken, party life-style. This brother is FAR "better" than the older brother.
Resist the temptation to think that you are contributing to or growing your holiness by reading God's word. Refuse to believe that you add anything to your already-named and forever-engraved self - you ARE redeemed, it is final. As the rest of 1 Peter 1 says: You ARE ransomed. You ARE raised to life. You ARE born again. You ARE purified. This isn't happening someday, it is NOW.
ReplyDelete"Those who sanctify and purify themselves to come into the garden... shall come to an end together." "I, the Lord, who sanctify you, am holy." // Lev 21 + Isa 66
Part of why I can get so wordy/strong when it comes to this issue, is because I used to be VERY impressed with my Bible-reading skills. Once a day. Maybe twice or thrice a day. And my soul was like a white-washed tomb. And I, sadly, set burdens on the backs of believers. Instead of using scripture to speak care and life to them, I used scripture to remind them of their sinfulness and make them feel guilty. I had the audacity to challenge their love for God based on their time in His word. And I had the balls to believe that my love for God was great because I spent so much diligent time in the Word. Ashes in my mouth. When God opened my eyes to my elder-son-Pharisical life, I actually had a season where I spent *less* time in God's Word, and *more* time doing other things.
I'm being a little aggressive in this comment (ha. essay!) and I wouldn't ever want you to hear my say that the beautiful written Word of God is anything but marvelously, delightfully, miraculously, powerfully, deeply good and...well, awesome! It is. But desiring God's word is not the same as desiring GOD Himself. Very subtle but enormous line there.
Alrighty. Ha. I should learn how to say what I am trying to say in fewer words. Would love to hear more from you on this thread!
(Also. "Reading" a post like this can come across so different than talking in person about it... When you can't hear someone's tone or see their face, or simple dialogue back and forth. I hope you find a thoughtful "debate/conversation" like this enjoyable, and thought-provoking... and that it it's not offensive or "sharp." I appreciate that you're willing to talk publicy... and as I blogger myself, I almost crave engagement over what I write and think, even if I disagree with the others thoughts. It's honestly fun to have a community of mutual respect and desire for more of God where you can share, talk and learn. I hope that is your experience with my comments! I know it's a lot! And somethings might have come across more harsh than I intended! Picture me saying this with a real smile on my face!)
ReplyDelete