The Holy Bible

Christians believe that the Holy Bible is God’s word. In it are His life giving words by which He speaks to us and teaches us. In the Holy Bible, God provides us with a road map for life, advice, consolation for every situation and a light for our path. The Apostle Paul writes to St Timothy saying, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction
in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). Christians believe that the Holy Bible is inspired by the Holy Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit moved His holy prophets and disciples to write down His words. As St Peter writes, “For prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:21). Often, these prophets, apostles and disciples were rejected, persecuted during their lives and killed for the truth they spoke.

The Holy Bible is a letter to us from God. It a great joy that mere humans have received a letter from the God of the universe who, has humbled Himself, to speak with us. This letter is not just to saints or special people but to all people. It is more joyful than a letter received from a dear friend because it is a letter from God Himself, our Best Friend, and one that benefits our souls. It is so joyful and beneficial that it is always being read.

The Lord Jesus Christ says in the Bible, “The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63). God’s word in the Bible, spoken by the Holy Spirit is full of the Spirit. We understand it by the Spirit and live it. It is food for our spirit for as the Lord Jesus says, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4) Bread is food for the body but God’s word is food for the spirit. The spiritual person is whose “delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on His law day and night” (Psalm 1:2). God’s commandment isn’t an obligation but it is a delight because it nourishes the soul.

Our Relationship with the Holy Bible

The Holy Bible instructs Christians in all aspects of their faith and life for it is God speaking to us. God says in the Bible “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe 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” (Joshua 1:8). This commandment was given to Joshua who was a great leader of Israel. Many years later, David the prophet became King of Israel and put this commandment into practice.

King David the prophet became king of Israel many years later. He also put into practice this commandment which leads to life. King David writes in the Bible “Your testimonies are my meditation”, and, “Your law is my meditation.” And he talks about his relationship with God’s commandment and law by saying: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path”, “I rejoice at Your word as one who finds great treasure”, and, “Your words are sweeter than honey in my mouth.” It is remarkable that such a busy and great king would make the time to meditate on God’s word and to learn from it.

As Christians, we read the Bible with our spirit for God’s word is spirit. We are not just satisfied with literal meanings but through meditating on God’s words we understand it with our hearts and souls. In this way, we find inspiration, significance, meaning and spiritual benefit. When we read the Holy Bible, with reverence and understanding, we will always find something new even in the same verse. This is because God’s word is rich and full of goodness. As God is unlimited so is the depth of His word. It is an everlasting source of meditation and it opens to unlimited spiritual spheres. King David experienced this and wrote, “I have seen the consummation of all perfection. But your commandment is exceedingly broad” (Psalm 119:96).

Inspired by the Holy Spirit, King David also writes “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul;
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; … The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honey comb” (Psalm 19: 7,8 and 10). Therefore, Christians believe that the Holy Bible shows the way to God and indeed puts them in the presence of God who speaks to them.

The Holy Bible is not only a source of meditation that unites us with God but it is also a source
of consolation. For every situation in life and for every emotional state of being there is a verse in the Bible that comforts our hearts, encourages us, guides us and satisfies us. For example, Book of Psalms expresses all types of feelings and prayers which you can choose that suit your needs and help you, in the find in it all that you need and what suits you. The Book of Proverbs has all kinds of advice and contains very much wisdom. All the Bible has a message for you, if you choose to understand it. If you are grieving you will find words of consolation, if you are joyful you will be delighted and be uplifted with words of praise. If you are afflicted the Bible will provide you with solutions and find peace in your difficulties. If you are experiencing despair or discouragement you will find words that will give you hope and if you are feeling weak the words of the Bible will give you strength. The words of the Holy Bible are effective and they are written for you. The Holy Bible is a personal message from God specifically to you because the Bible says, “Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” It is not just a message to the churches in Rome, Ephesus or Corinth but it is a message written for your sake and for whatever you are going through. King David recognized this and wrote, “I will delight myself in Your Commandments” (Psalm 119:40) and also “Unless Your law had been my delight, I would then have perished in my affliction” (Psalm 119:92).

Therefore, Christians love the Holy Bible because it a letter of love and encouragement from God to us. It is words of a Father to His children – nurturing them and raising them up. It is like one receiving a letter from somebody he loves. He reads it and rereads it because it contains words dear to him. So King David writes in the Bible, “Your word is very pure; Therefore Your servant loves it” (Psalm 119:140), and also “I rejoice at Your word as one who finds great treasure” (Psalm 119:162) and “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). And so with love for God’s word, we read the Bible with enjoyment and perseverance. We read it steadfastly, everyday and meditate on it. In so doing, we are blessed as it is written in the first Psalm of the Bible as those, “whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on His law day and night” (Psalm 1:2). By reading the Bible everyday and meditating on it, we absorb the spirit of it and it’s positive effect becomes established in us. For example, we can meditate on certain verses before we leave home and these stay memorized with us as we go about our day, supporting us and helping us to obey God’s good commandments. And again at night, we read the Bible so that its words continue to give us understanding and accompany us even in our dreams. We can also meditate on a specific event and the righteous actions of a character in the Bible.

To memorize verses from the Bible, to repeat them, and meditate on them, is essential but it must lead to acting in accordance with them. Therefore the Lord Jesus Christ said, “Whoever hears these sayings of
Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock” (Matthew 7:24). God’s word helps us against sin and temptation so that we may walk in the way of life for the Bible says, For the commandment is a lamp, And the law a light; Reproofs of instruction are the way of life” (Proverbs 6:23). And so when we immerse ourselves in the Bible and memorize verses we are strengthened to act in accordance with it. The Lord Jesus Christ also set this example by repeating words from the Bible in reply to those who attacked Him, tempted and tried to make Him fall. We read about this, for example, in Matthew 4, Luke 10:25-37 and John 10:31-39 and as we read we see that, “the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword” (Hebrews 4:12). In the same way that the word of God comforts us it also gives us strength to obey God’s commandments. Therefore as an example, if you are tempted to be angry, remember the Bible verse. “Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God” (James 1:19-20). And so having the verses of the Bible firm in your mind and in your heart, you are able to recall them and use them to answer any temptation or sin. The Holy Spirit that inspired the words of the Bible gives us strength to carry out God’s commandments As the Lord Jesus said, “the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you” (John 14:25-26). St Paul also said to his disciple Timothy, “…and that from childhood you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation” (2 Timothy 3:15). Also King David wrote, “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You” (Psalm 119:11) revealing that it is important to love God’s word not just to know it. God’s words are not just for knowledge but for life… Therefore as Christians who have the word of God, it is important that we follow it. We have know excuse if we disobey. And the Bible tells us, “If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them” (James 4:17).

How to Benefit When Reading the Holy Bible

To benefit from the Holy Bible we need to read it. Of course, to read the Bible we need to have a copy of it. As a physical book and a digital copy so that we can read it always and refer to it continuously. And so it can be with us always – accompanying us on our journeys, during working hours, at time of rest or while sitting with people. The Bible is our friend and a companion that we can’t do without it.

When reading the Holy Bible, we are listening to God talking to us, and so we must listen to Him in reverence and respect. In as much as we have reverence in reading, so would be the benefit we receive in reading God’s words because we are humbly listening and aware of being in the presence of God. The one who reads the word of God with carelessness and negligence would not be affected by it or benefit from it. Such is the importance of the Bible, that it is given great attention in holy Church. It is read many times during the mass and various sacraments. The Church sermons are all based on verses from the Holy Bible, as is Sunday school and so are the programs of spiritual teaching.

To benefit from reading the Holy Bible, we must also read with understanding. We need to read the Divine words with contemplation and depth. The element of understanding is very essential because the Lord says of those that lacked understanding and obedience, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6). Reading the Bible will enlighten us and occupy us with food for our soul. It will give us understanding and teach us the the way of the Lord so that we knows how to act and acquire the gift of discernment and wisdom. We will read in it about righteous people who can can learn from the lives of these saints and they acted and dealt with God and with people, “Considering the outcome of their conduct” (Hebrews 13:7).
Among the requirements of knowledge is not to depend on one verse. The Bible is not one verse but a Book. And a mere verse does not give a complete meaning of God’s aim and commandment. Therefore, to understand a topic, collect all the verses that relate to it and you will have a complete meaning.
To help us also understand God’s word we need to read with spirit and in depth such that we benefit enters our heart and touches our feelings. Therefore, it is most important to understand the spiritual meaning of the commandment and not just merely its literal interpretation. As the Lord says that God’s words are “spirit and life” (John 6:63). The Bible also says regarding this “… not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life” (2 Corinthians 3:6).

As an example, the scribes and Pharisees were amongst the scholars of God’s law. But in spite of that, they couldn’t understand the word of God or know God’s intentions. For example, they never understood the commandment of keeping the Sabbath holy until Jesus reminded them of God’s word, “I desire mercy and not sacrifice” (Matthew 12:7-8), (Matthew 9: 9-13). They also never understood the meaning of the word “neighbour” till the Lord explained the parable of the good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)

Therefore try to understand the significance of everything you read. And if you fail to understand, consult and ask. Remember again, that the verses of the Bible – if collected together – will form integration, consistency and depth of understanding. For example, some focus on the Lord Jesus Christ’s saying, “My Father is greater than I” (John 14:28) but they should also consider that he also said “I and My Father are one” (John 10:30). Also some focus on the verse, “By a sad countenance the heart is made better” (Ecclesiastes 7:3), but forget that it is also written. “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4). And it is also written, “To everything there is a season, … A time to weep, and a time to laugh”(Ecclesiastes 3:1,4). Therefore, to benefit from reading the Bible let us be wise in understanding what we read. As the Bible says, “The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple” (Psalm 19:7).

To benefit from reading the Bible, it is important to read it with a spirit of prayer. Therefore, let us start by praying that God will help us understand what we read. Let u spray as King David and say to God, “Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law” (Psalm 119:18). Also, let’s conclude reading by a prayer, asking the Lord to give us strength to apply His word in our life. Through the light of its commandments, the Bible guides us to a life of repentance and spiritual growth. So let our reading be also accompanied by prayer so that we try to receive God’s message through prayer. Let us pray with humility through which we submit to the teaching of the Bible, through which we change and correct our thoughts, through which we ask for knowledge, saying with David the prophet and King: “Show me Your ways, O Lord; Teach me Your paths” (Psalm 25:4). Let us pray while we are reading, “Lord, what do you want me to do?” (Acts 9:6). In addition, reading the Bible kindles in us specific feelings that we will wish to transform into prayer. As such, the Holy Bible becomes material for prayer. And so, reading the Book of Psalms for example teaches us how to pray and in what manner we should talk to God. We also learn to pray by reading the prayers of God’s people in the Bible. such as the prayer of Daniel the prophet (Daniel 9), and the prayer of Ezra (Ezra 9), and also the prayer of Nahum (Nahum 1), and the prayer of Solomon (1 Kings 8), and the prayer of Jonah while in the belly of the fish (Jonah 2), and the song of Mary (Luke 1).

One of the very clear verses about the effect of God’s word is His saying, “So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11).

Maybe one would say: Why then do I read without being affected? The word of God is alive and effective. But it works more in those who open their hearts to it and want the word to work in them. Store God’s words in your heart and in your thoughts. It will remain firm in your subconscious and at a certain time, when your heart becomes prepared for it, and when the circumstances are suitable, you will find that the word of God will come to your mind and your heart and be effective in your life. Not each seed that is cast to the earth gives fruit instantly. It could take days or months. God’s words will not return void. They
will give fruit in due time, especially when given good care and perseverance day and night, protecting them from obstacles that would stop their work, whether interior or exterior. It is like a seed in soil that has not been watered. So it remains as it is with life concealed in it. But after days when the water reaches it, this life will become active and be revealed. How beautiful, therefore, is the saying of the Bible: “Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days” (Ecclesiastes 11:1).

The Holy Bible in Our Life

The Holy Bible contains a very profound verse which shows us the importance of the Bible in helping us to obey God’s commandments and to live a fulfilling and fruitful life. This verse reads, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates” (Deuteronomy 6: 6-9).

Out of His great love for us, God teaches us in this verse, practical ways to receive the life giving benefits of the Bible for ourselves and our families. This transforms the Bible into life and it becomes part of us. Therefore as Christians, let’s gather around the Bible and read it together as families and in churches. Let’s talk about what we read and speak about God’s words always, where ever we are and what ever we are doing. In doing so, we “teach them diligently” to our children. Let our children attend Church and Sunday school so that they may learn God’s words together with other children. Let’s frame verses from the Holy Bible and hang them on the walls of our homes so that we and our children can memorize them and meditate on them. Let’s organize games for our children to learn verses from the Bible. Let’s make the commandments of the Bible a field for spiritual exercises that suit our spiritual level so that we can grow in the life of Christian virtues. Let the language of the Bible always be spoken by us so that we may obey God’s commandments and be true Christian role models. To put all of this into practice it is of great help to memorize verses from the Bible.

For every situation let’s try and remember a verse. By memorizing verses, we will be able to repeat them within ourselves, meditate on their meaning and their depth in any place: at home, at work, on the road, amongst people and as such live the words of God. We can memorize verses relating to spiritual values and virtues; verses containing the promises of God that would encourage and comfort us; verses that are relevant to our circumstances and which guide us and we can memorize various verses that touch our hearts when we read them.

We can also memorize parts of the Bible such as the chapter on the characteristics of love (1 Corinthians 13), the beautiful and spiritual commandments in Romans 12 and in 1 Thessalonians 5, the wisdom and advice in the Book of Proverbs and the Book of Ecclesiastes, the Ten Commandments as in Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5, Jesus Christ’s long prayer before going to Gethsemane (John 17) and His words to His Disciples (John 14-17) and the Sermon on the Mount, the constitution of Christianity, in Matthew 5:3-10. Of endless benefit is to memorize many of the Psalms and prayers of the prophets in the Holy Bible.

To help us memorize, let us write our favourite verses in a notebook. We can also memorize verses alphabetically and according to specific words. For example, we can ask our children to recite a verse containing the word joy, eyes, mountain, church, light, angel, shield, tree, stars, day, race, or help. Let us encourage our children to be accustomed to using and reciting verses from the Bible by saying a verse for everything they see. This will support them, protect them and guide them as they grow up.

We can also memorize verses according to Christian values and beliefs such as self control, peace, faith, prayer or kindness. Verses to encourage those in despair, verses to advise the sinner, to give
thanks for what we have, verses to fight sin and temptation, verses that give answers to problems and trouble, verses to keep our peace when dealing with difficult or aggressive people and wisdom when we need guidance.

As the Bible teaches, let us and our children repeat these verses many times in our mind and in our hearts, in a reflective way so that they will penetrate into our souls and our subconscious, being engraved in our memory, and becoming a source of comfort and support whenever needed. Let us and our children adopt the language of the Bible in our conversations with each other and will all people so that in all aspects of our lives we are applying God’s words. Yes we need to put these memorized verses into action.

When one accepts the word of God, he/she also accepts God who gave it and also the Holy Spirit that gives strength and encouragement to put into action. For with God’s word comes strength, and it is alive and effective therefore it is “For the Word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two edged sword” (Hebrews 4:12). Let us pray for then strength of God’s word to work in us. To have its effect on our consciences. To illuminate and inspire us. To help us do good and to correct us if we sin. Lets us pray that God’s word will always be called to mind so that it will protect us.