I'd say the point of the Bible is to know God. The scriptures tell God's story and introduce us to Him. Knowing Him is the whole point of life.

By "knowing Him," I do not mean to say the Bible is just information (like you would know your college history text) or casual (like you know the guy three cubicles down and read the e-mails he forwards to you). Really "knowing" the God of the Bible means He will shape your very soul.

I'm grieved by the church culture that's developed where knowing the Bible is about being right, passing judgement, defending a position, memorizing data, supporting a political party, or one of many other imposter functions.

I'm grieved by the church culture ...

I recall seeing a national newscast where a guy stood in a line of protestors at an abortion clinic. He was yelling while holding a sign with a huge Bible on it along with the words, "You're going to HELL, the Bible tells me so." "Know the Scriptures in order to know God and He will bless you!" would have been a much better pro-life message. John says his message was "... written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name." (John 20:31 NRS)

Jesus says, "You search the Scriptures, because you think you will find eternal life in them. The Scriptures tell about me, but you refuse to come to me for eternal life." (John 5:39-40)

Micah says the LORD requires us to "See that justice is done, let mercy be your first concern, and humbly obey your God." (Micah 6:8 CEV)

If knowing the Bible doesn't help you do that, what's it for?

It [Scripture] is God's way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do. (2 Timothy 3:17 NLT)

Wild at Heart by John Eldredge Helping men rediscover their masculine heart, this is a guide to understanding Christian manhood and Christian men.

Danny Sims is the preaching minister at the Altamesa Church of Christ in Fort Worth, Texas, and a longtime Heartlight supporter and friend.

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