This is a valid question.

Why does the Bible matter? What does an ancient book have to do with me in my life? Is it even reliable?

These are all valid questions. It is good to examine and test all things. If you do not come from a background with much knowledge of the Bible, then this is something you absolutely must do. But what all questions really boil down to is the question of whether the Bible is TRUE or is it a lie?

That is really all that matters. It doesn’t matter if it’s interesting or historically relevant or helpful for understanding other cultures and religions! No, at the end of the day all you need to know is whether this book is true or not. If it isn’t true, then leave it alone. Do not waste your time with it for a moment.

BUT…if it is true, then you would be a fool not to read it. As someone who once doubted the truth of the Bible in the past even after growing up in the church, it was only after I began reading the Bible for myself and truly praying that God began opening my eyes to how much I needed Him and His Word. Now having studied His Word extensively for nine years, let me give you one of the best reasons for why you should read the Bible and pray to the God of the Bible every day.

The Apostle Peter recorded a concise testimony about Jesus Christ in one of his letters that is preserved in the New Testament of the Bible. This is a man who lived and walked with Jesus for three years on earth before Jesus was crucified, buried, resurrected, and ascended into Heaven. Peter served as an apostle for many years before ultimately giving his own life for the testimony of Jesus Christ. This apostle was crucified upside down because he would not deny that Jesus Christ is Lord at a time when all were forced to say that Caesar was Lord.

“For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.

“And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”

~ 1 Peter 1:16-21

The reason to take the Bible seriously is stated right here. Peter is saying that Jesus was not someone of whom they only heard fables. He is saying that he along with many, many others were eyewitnesses. Eyewitness testimony is something that holds weight in a court of law. It is why speaking the truth and being a person of your word is so important.

Truth matters.

And Peter is telling all who would listen to pay attention to what they recorded for us about Jesus. And in that second paragraph when he says that “we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you would do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place,” what he means is that the prophecies of Messiah which were given in the Old Testament were being fulfilled in Jesus Christ before their very eyes. The day is coming when Jesus Christ will return, but now is our opportunity to receive Him as the morning star in our hearts. Why the morning star? Perhaps because only Jesus can give us the light of eternal life. That was why He came: to save us from sin, death, and hell.

So, I invite you to journey with me as we walk through the Scriptures, through the Word of God (the Bible) and with the Word Himself, which is Jesus Christ. Test my words if they are true. Pray to God yourself. If you do not know Him, ask Him to reveal Himself to you and He will.

Our Creator, God Almighty, at the beginning of this blog I ask that you would help me and all my readers surrender our will and our way to You, for You alone know the way to go and You alone speak the truth. Make that reality come alive for all those who have questions, and reveal to them Your love which is everlasting yet also Your holiness which bars all sin from entering Your presence and finally Your grace which extends full forgiveness to us and a complete restoration of who we were meant to be in Christ–something that we can only comprehend by Your Spirit! In the Wondrous Name of JESUS, Amen.