So many people have an opinion about Christianity. Yet very few, including those who claim to be Christians, have ever taken the time to read the book the religion is based on. Instead, they choose to form an opinion about God and those who believe in Him based solely on what they have heard others say. Or on what they perceive through social interaction. If you would read the Bible you would see that it’s far different from what you have assumed. For the Christian, you would get to know the God you claim to serve. For the Non-Believer, you would be able to see what the religion you seem to hate truly is all about.
To The Non-Believer
It’s easy to see that not all those who claim to be a Christian live an upstanding life. Many are rude, hateful, and only looking out for themselves. But if you would read the Bible then you would know that those who act in that manner have no right to be called Christians. The Bible teaches people to love everyone no matter who they are or what they have done. Beyond that, the Bible instructs believers to view others as better than themselves living a life of humility(Phil 2:3) with a servants mindset(Mark 10:42-45).
If you would read the Bible then you would also begin to see that God is not a God of hate. Nor is He a God that wants to punish because He does not like a certain demographic of people. The God of the Bible is a God of love. In fact, He loved the world so much that He made a way for every single person to receive salvation through Jesus Christ (John 3:16). No matter the sin, no matter the past everyone and I truly meant everyone is worthy of salvation.
Please understand this is not pointed in a way to attempt to convict you. I simply want you to see that popular conception of God is wrong and not what is taught in the scripture. I ask, and in fact, beg you to open the Bible. Try it, just take some time to really read it. Even if you have no interest in following God, please try to read it. Just to know for yourself what it has to say. I promise you will be shocked to find out that few people truly live a Christain life and even less have a proper understanding of the Character of God.
To The Christian
Christians, if you would read your Bible you would not be living the way you currently do. It wasn’t long ago that I had not read much of my Bible and I thought I knew God. I thought I had an understanding of what it means to be a Christian. But then I began to really read my Bible and it turns out I was pretty fair off base.
You see when you read the Bible you begin to see that being a Christain is more than trying not to sin. Of course, we are to try our best to not to sin, but that’s just one step. Our actions should prove our faith. We should be walking in love. Helping those in need and trying to lead the lost to God. That’s our calling. In no way have we been called to judge anyone. In fact, the Bible teaches that we will be judged with the same judgment with which we judge others.
Matthew 7:1-2 (ESV)
7 “Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.
If you would read the Bible, you would be doing all you can to introduce everyone you know to God. Because if you believe the Bible to be true then you have to also believe those who do not turn away from sin and begin to live a new life in Christ will be sentenced to hell. A place that is real and somewhere no one would ever choose to go.
Christians should be falling over themselves to try and win souls. By proclaiming the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ and extending the same love and compassion he first showed us. Of course, not everyone can be won but you can’t say you truly love everyone and never try to save anyone.
As Christians, we have to embrace the complete teachings of the Bible. You need to understand that everyone is welcome in the house of God because they will never find salvation anywhere else. On the other side of that, you can’t lie and say everyone will go to heaven even if they continue to live a life of sin. Don’t use the Bible and try to make it fit a belief you already have. Pick up the Bible read it and then live out what it says. Or don’t call yourself a Christian. It’s that simple.
Where to Start
If I have caused you to feel the need to read the Bible then it is only right that I give you help as you start this journey. It can seem a little daunting when you first pick up the Bible. Simply deciding where to start can be hard. First, find a translation that just makes sense to you. There is no reason to try and read the Bible if you can’t understand it. I recommend trying the King James, New King James, English Standard Version, or the New Living Translation. All of which are good translations and are true to the original writing.
Once you have picked a translation it is time to start reading. I recommend that most everyone starts in the New Testament, in the Gospel according to Matthew, or simply Matthew as most Bibles put it today. I recommend this book because once you get past the genealogy at the beginning of chapter one you are quickly into the life and ministry of Jesus. It is also worth mentioning that the Sermon on the Mount beings in chapter five and is, in my opinion, one of the best teachings throughout the entire Bible.
After you have read Matthew you can skip ahead to Acts and read through to revelation. Or turn back to Genisis and begin to read through the Old Testament. The other option is to bounce between the New and Old Testaments to get an understanding of both worlds. Ultimately after you have started to read you can slice it however you see fit and it will all begin to make sense.
Please Read The Bible
Really I just hope that whether you are a Christian or not, you will give reading the Bible a chance. Open its pages and let God speak to you through His word. See for yourself if what you believe about it is true. Yes, it’s a big book and yes it does have a lot of words, but once you really start to read and understand you forget about the size and you just keep going.
Hopefully, this article has inspired you to pick up the Bible and actually read it. I honestly just want to know that more people have read the Bible. Especially since everyone has an opinion about it whether they have read it or not. If you have enjoyed this article please share it with others. This could be the small spark that cases a revival of Bible reading across the world and all it would take is a few well-timed shares. Thanks so much for reading, God Bless!
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