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2007-05-09 05:13:49 · 41 answers · asked by DENISE 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Dear Denise,
The Bible states, "So then, faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." The Bible also tells us that we are ALL sinners, having disobeyed God's commandments. Unless we can get cleansed of those sins, we cannot go into heaven. One can take thousands of showers and never wash away 1 sin. The penalty for sin is to spend eternity (forever) in a place called the lake of fire (hell). So I think you can see the terrible problem all people have....
God in His great mercy and kindness desired to have some of these sinners to be His children and live with Him in heaven for ever. But God is absolutely righteous and just and cannot overlook sin--it has to be paid for. So God took on a human form, lived a perfect life, and then paid the awesome sin penalty for those whom He chose to be His children. Many people will tell you that Jesus death by crucifiction was the payment for sin but that is not true. Jesus began suffering in the Garden of Gethsemanae before the soldiers ever arrested Him. He was, at this time, enduring the equivalent of spending eternity in hell condensed into the hours between Gethsemanae and when He said on the cross "It is finished." People could not see what He was going through, but we know from the Bible that He was enduring the terrible wrath of God. The spitting on Jesus, the nailing to the cross was showing that He had become accursed--as is everyone that is not saved.
When I gave you the verse, "So then, faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God"---faith is a synonym for Jesus Christ. In Revelations 19:11 the Bible gives another name for Jesus-"Faithful and True". So then, Christ cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. When you read the Bible, you are in the environment in which God can save you if He chooses to. Meanwhile, you learn more and more about God.
I hope this will help you. You can Google my sources.
2007-05-09 06:36:20 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Reading the Bible is not what transforms us- it is being lead to the one the Bible points too, first- Jesus- knowledge of God and the Bible, does not make you automatically KNOW HIM. The change comes after you admit you are a sinner in need of a Savior- and then allowing the Holy Spirit to work in you, to change you.
2007-05-09 05:48:59 · answer #2 · answered by AdoreHim 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Reading the Bible alone cannot 'change' you. There are other aspects tied in with that. You must first have a repentant heart for all the wrong you have done. Then you go to God and ask Him for forgiveness of all you sins and ask Him to come into your life(truthfully, because now remember that God is the one who made us and we cannot fool Him like we would ordinarily fool others) And God for wisdom before you read His Word(Bible). The Bible is God's "blueprint"(if you will) to us about Who He is and His Nature. The Bible does not change you , God alone does that. Because no man comes except the Father draws. It is our job to acknowledge Him and meet Him there. May God Bless U.
2007-05-09 05:28:16 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Depends on what you want. Read ANY book and one person says "That's OK." Another person finds profound truth and "Oprah moments" in the same book.
2 Timothy 3: 16-17 shows the value of All scriptures. Forgive me for not quoting. My hands hurt. Look it up anyway. Don't take anyone's word when you can go to the source in your own home. Read and know yourself.
You can learn God's purpose for all His creations. You can learn the future for earth.
You can learn how to have the best life possible; what to avoid and what to embrace. You can replace the entire self-help sections of libraries with just this one book.
That is what it CAN do. As with anything, you must approach with any open mind, willing to learn. Question everything and don't take "It's a mystery." or "I don't know." for an answer. Find out till it makes sense to you. The main reason for the 1,000s of religions claiming to be Christians isn't the Devil as we generally reply. It is people are too mentally lazy to question and demand answers. Most of the false religious teachings don't make anymore sense than buying swamp land, snake oil or Nigerian bank scams. They are laughable. Perople are too lazy to think. Don't be that way.
2007-05-09 05:40:29 · answer #4 · answered by grnlow 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You could ask the same question about any holy text. It all depends on how you approach the work.
Intellectually - You will discover a great many inconsistencies and contradictions.
Socially - If you are a woman, you will be very glad that you live in a democracy in modern times.
Mythologically - You will be delighted at the co-relations between the myths that are presented in the bible and the earlier myths of the Sumerians, Greeks, etc.
From Faith - You just might discover god. Then again, if you approach any holy text from this vantage point, you could just as easily discover a sense of what god might be and what the goddess might be.
Enjoy your journey of discovery!
2007-05-09 05:29:00 · answer #5 · answered by gjstoryteller 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It can't change you. Only Jesus Christ can change you. Religious "Christians" cling blindly to the Bible as though it were God. What Jesus said applies to all religious "Christians": "You search the scriptures, for in them you think you will find life". If you even want to really understand the Bible, you have to receive the Holy Spirit. You can only attain a limited understanding of the Bible unless God teaches you directly. You cannot understand spiritual matters from a physical realm. You need to, in a manner of speaking, enter the spiritual realm by accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour and repenting of your sins. Jesus will then baptise you with the Holy Spirit.
2007-05-09 05:25:43 · answer #6 · answered by ellipse4 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Reading the bible does not change anyone. studying the bible, praying, and applying what you have studied to your life changes people.
2007-05-09 05:40:11 · answer #7 · answered by June 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Denise,
Reading the Bible will give you valuable information about our FATHER's WILL and will educate you about CHRIST's PLAN of SALVATION. That is your way to Heaven if you so choose. Reading alone will not get you to heaven just the same as bielieving in HIM alone will NOT get you to Heaven but it is a beginning. I would be glad to answer any question that you may have at any time. Have a great day!
Thanks,
Eds, Christian
Glitter,
The Bible did not "make you an atheist". Your beliefs did.
Wingless, Confirmed & October,
Maybe you just can't READ and understand. A learning disorder causes such to be the case.
Eds
2007-05-09 05:18:50 · answer #8 · answered by Eds 7 · 5⤊ 2⤋
God uses the Bible to change people, He alone has the power to change your heart, soul, and mind. That is why the Scriptures in the Bible always point to God and Jesus who alone have that power.
2007-05-09 05:21:10 · answer #9 · answered by sanctusreal77 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
The WORD of God isn't like any other "book". It is alive because Jesus IS the Word made flesh. When you partake of the written word of God you are partaking of the Spirit of Jesus.
Why do you think the devil worked so diligently to get that book out of the public schools? He knows more than Christians know..., it (the Bible) is:
Truth, Life, Spirit of Life, Health and Medicine to your flesh, the Spirit of Jesus in words, God's word, it renews your mind and re-wires your brain and when it is read aloud, faith comes.
Read it aloud so your ears can hear it and it will go into your heart (spirit) and the change will just happen over time. The Word of God (Bible) has the power within itself to bring itself to pass in a heart and life.
Remember, "reading" is: saying the words on the page aloud.
2007-05-09 05:23:11 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋