It appears that God has not desired direct, verbal, supernatural communication — from heaven to earth — to be a perpetual phenomenon throughout our history. Rather, the mysteries, mind and character of God (1 Cor. 2:11) were to be committed to a series of inspired documents, collectively known as the Bible. The Holy Scriptures were designed to provide men with all things pertaining to life and Godliness (2 Pet. 1:3), and to equip disciples completely unto every good work (2 Tim. 3:16-17). What price then could we put on truth? Just how can we measure its value? David wrote that God’s word is “more precious than fine gold…” (Psalm 19:10), “A light to our path…”(Psalm 119:105) and a “a giver of understanding” (Psalm 119:130 paraphrased).
Now if what the Bible says of itself is true, then why are we so illiterate? 35% of born-again Christians do not read the Bible at all. In addition, recent poles indicate that among those who say they read the Bible, the vast majority only read it during the one hour they attend church each Sunday morning. So then one must assume that approximately 40-50% of our nation’s believers are walking around ill-equipped, Spiritualy famished and assuming any ear-tickeling wind of doctrine presented them (2 Tim 4:3). In addition It is reported that nearly 28,000,000 Bibles were purchased last year in the US alone. What on earth are we doing!?
Somehow, people are walking away from our coversations, leaving our small groups and being dismissed from our sanctuaries without grasping the value. It isn’t that American Christianity isn’t rich with programs or procedures in place to make it “easier” or more compartmentalized. Rather, it appears we don’t even see a reason to begin the journey at all.
“But he answered, “It is written,
‘Man shall not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:4)