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Why You Should Read the Bible in 2021, 4 Reasons from Scripture Itself, Part 2

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In the last edition of the Coggins Courier we started our list of four reasons why you should make reading the Bible a regular part of your 2021 plan. In review, we saw that the Bible tells us to read it for the knowledge of salvation, i.e., the gospel. We also considered that the Bible is a means of grace. If we desire to grow spiritually, we must do as Christ’s apostle tells us and earnestly desire the pure milk of the Word. In this second part, we will discover two more important reasons that the Bible itself tells us to be Bible students. 

The third reason we find in Scripture to read the Bible each day is to equip us for spiritual warfare. Let’s take a moment to consider 2 Timothy 3:14-15. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it [15] and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. (ESV) Paul begins chapter three warning the young pastor Timothy about the spiritual apostasy that will characterize the church as we approach the last days. The real source of the false teaching and the forsaking of the gospel is Satanic. James tells us this in his letter (James 3:13-18). From this we may deduce that as time goes on it will be increasingly hard to stand against the evil falling away that is happening in the church itself. What is the answer to this? How does the Apostle of Christ instruct Timothy to fight against this satanic onslaught? The Word of God is the key (2 Timothy 3:15). This is why Paul instructs this pastor to preach and teach the Word without apology in chapter 4:1-8. The faithful pastor is to be a Word-teaching pastor. Why is this the case? Because, the goal is to get God’s people in His word. As the pastor preaches/teaches the Word, the congregation is equipped to live, stand for, and proclaim the truth of God. We see our Lord use the Scriptures in spiritual warfare against Satan in Matthew 4:1-11. We must master the Scriptures so that we may use them as the sword of the Spirit in the way our Savior did on the mount. 

We see in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 the fourth reason the Bible tells us to fill our minds with it’s words: All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, [17] that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work — to be successful in godliness. Again, this is not simply a New Testament idea. In fact, the idea that reading and obeying Scripture is the way to successfully know and live for God is a major theme throughout the Bible. For obvious reasons we cannot demonstrate this here, but we can consider a key passage that teaches it. 

Moses the man of God was dead. Young Joshua now had to take up his mantle and fill Moses’ shoes to lead the people to complete the seizure of the promised land. Can you imagine the weight of such a task? Wouldn’t you be anxious about taking on a mission of this magnitude? Following behind a giant like Moses would be challenge enough but to pick up where Moses left off could feel impossible, were it not for God’s help. God knew all of this and gave Joshua vital instructions regarding how to carry on in spiritual leadership in Joshua 1:5–8.

No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. [6] Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. [7] Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. [8] This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. (ESV)

God assured Joshua of His presence and blessing as long as Joshua was obedient to the law of God. If Joshua desired success as a man of God then he must read and fill his life with the Word (verse 8), and then he would have success. Will you join me in making 2021 a Word-filled year? Let me encourage you to pick a Bible reading plan for this year and follow it as closely as you can. Read and reread the Bible books that are being taught on Sundays and Wednesdays. Find ways to fill your life with the Holy Scriptures and we will have “good success” in the way of God. 

I love you all, 

Pastor Scott

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