My Answer

Q: I know I ought to read the Bible, and I’ve tried, but I’ve always been a poor reader, and finally I just gave up. Does God think I’m a bad person?.

A: God knows both what you can do and what you can’t do—and He doesn’t get angry with you or look down on you because of this. We aren’t all the same; God created us with different abilities. The Bible says, “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us” (Romans 12:6).

Don’t misunderstand me, however. The Bible is God’s Word, and if we ignore it, our lives will be morally and spiritually impoverished. Just as we need food and water to grow and be physically healthy, so we need the “food” and “water” of God’s Word to grow and be spiritually healthy. Job said, “I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread” (Job 23:12). Make it your goal, therefore, to build your life every day on the Bible’s truth. Remember: through God’s written word, the Bible, we come to know God’s living Word, Jesus Christ.

How can you make the Bible part of your life? First, even if you aren’t a reader, I suggest you read at least a few sentences from the Bible every day. (You might begin in Psalms or Proverbs, or one of the Gospels.) In addition, listen carefully to your pastor and other gifted teachers in your church as they speak from the Bible. Christian radio and daily devotional books may also be helpful.

Make certain of your personal commitment to Jesus Christ. Then ask God daily to help you build your life on His Word, the Bible. Jesus said, “I have given them your word. … Your word is truth” (John 17:14, 17).

Q: My faith today is probably about where it was 10 years ago—not much stronger, not much weaker. I know I ought to be a better Christian, but I don’t know how. What would you say to me?

A: Just as children are meant to grow and become adults, so we are meant to grow and become “spiritual adults”. Only then will we be able to resist wrong and do what’s right. The Bible says, “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18).

The key is to understand that when we come to Christ and commit our lives to Him, we now have a personal relationship with God. Think of it: God is now our Heavenly Father, and we are now His children! More than that, He has come to live within us by His Holy Spirit. God loves us, and by His death and resurrection Christ has torn down the barrier between us—a barrier caused by our sin. Now we are part of His family!

But how does any personal relationship grow and become stronger? The answer is clear: we have to spend time with someone—listening to them, sharing our interests and concerns with them, learning about them, and so forth. And the same is true with God. One way we do this is by listening to Him as He speaks to us through His Word, the Bible. He also has given us the privilege of talking to Him in prayer. We grow stronger too through our fellowship with other believers.

Make sure of your commitment to Christ. Then set aside time each day to read God’s Word and pray. God’s promise is true: “Come near to God and he will come near to you” (James 4:8).