We’re at the beginning of another year, a prosperous season for the gym, diet supplement, and daily planner industries. Something about the beginning of January makes many of us reconsider the rhythms of our lives.
Along these lines, many churches and Christian organizations will suggest you consider a read-through-the-Bible plan at this time of year. This is a worthy goal and can be a fruitful practice. (We have our own Bible reading challenge underway!) But Christians have a tendency to turn this nourishing habit into something sour. Completing such a plan becomes a trophy for those who succeed and a source of shame for those who don’t.
Let’s state it plainly. Reading through the entire Bible in a calendar year is not a Scriptural command.
No Special Status
We must not lay extra-Biblical commands on one another. Reading the Bible is a glorious privilege; it is entirely worthwhile; it is revealing and convicting and strengthening and encouraging in ways we can barely imagine beforehand. But in the Bible itself we do not find any prescription for the amount we must read each day or year.
When I hear some Christians talk about annual Bible reading, I think there is a deeper issue here than mere Bible reading. To think there is a privileged status among the people of God for those who meet some arbitrary goal (or a second-class status for those who don’t) is a fundamental misunderstanding of the gospel.
Those who belong to Christ are his fully and forever. Period. There is no inner circle. There are no merit badges. Your Bible reading record will not make God love you any more or any less. His love for his children is perfect.
The Role of Discipline
I am not advocating that, with respect to Bible intake, we should do whatever we want. Reading the Bible is a healthy practice and discipline is necessary part of Christian growth (1 Timothy 4:7).
Every redeemed person has an internal struggle—old man versus new, flesh versus spirit (Ephesians 4:17–24). As we grow in discipline we are increasingly able to nurture the spirit and put to death the deeds of the flesh (Romans 8:13).
As we consider Bible reading for the upcoming year, we should be mindful that growth will likely require discipline. But the motivation for pursuing any goal is often more important than the goal itself.
Why Read the Bible?
Why do we read the Bible? Ten Christians might give ten different answers, and some of our motivations might lie far enough beneath the surface that we don’t see them.
Some read the Bible because they fear God’s displeasure. Others maintain their Scriptural practices to impress fellow Christians, to feel good about a regular habit, or to impress God. None of these are Biblical reasons for Christians to read God’s word.
When we consult the Bible about Bible reading, we find more carrot than stick. Instead of finding commands and regulations, in his word God describes the benefits of drawing near to him through the Scriptures. He entices us—he does not scold or scare us.
- God’s word revives the soul, rejoices the heart, and enlightens the eyes. His rules are to be desired more than gold, sweeter than honey, and in keeping them there is great reward (Psalm 19:7–11).
- Consider the “blessed” man of Psalm 1. He delights in God’s law and meditates upon it day and night. He is fruitful, rooted, and prosperous (Psalm 1:1–6).
- “Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.” (1 Peter 2:2–3)
- “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” (Colossians 3:16)
This is just a sample. God wants us to read and study his word because it is good for us and for others to do so!
A Rich Opportunity
In our Bible intake this year, let’s reframe the enterprise. Instead of trying not to disappoint God, or trying to impress him or others, let’s consider the opportunity we have.
With every additional day God gives us, we have the chance to know him better, to learn about his character and his acts in history. We can study and delight in the glorious truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We can learn to respond to God’s love for us with love for him and neighbor.
If that takes you all the way through the Bible this year, that’s wonderful! But if it doesn’t—well, that’s far from a failure.
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