Reading the Scripture is not a problem for most of us. Our plan for daily reading may go awry more than we would care to admit, but most of us still get around to reading a fair portion of it on a regular basis. A greater problem than not reading it regularly is the problem of not reading it rightly. Of course, just calling the words and notching the number of chapters on the spine of the book is an example of not reading it rightly. Another, more serious example of not reading it rightly has to do with the attitude with which we read.
The Word says about itself, or more appropriately, the Holy Spirit says about the Word, "All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work." (II Timothy 3:16-17) Some folks do not like the word, "all." Some folks want to pick and choose what all includes which is usually a way of reading with a buffet line attitude. What looks good is a part of what all entails and what does not fit into our view of the work is dismissed as irrelevant, archaic, or nonsense.
Now granted there are some things which might cause us to scratch our head more than one time as we wonder why they were included, but it seems the real question to ponder has not to do with what is included or omitted, but why. As the second question guides us, we are not as likely to see ourselves as the one who has the final vote on what the Word is saying. And, after all, if we are not reading to hear what the Word of God is saying, then we are surely reading for all the wrong reasons.
The Word says about itself, or more appropriately, the Holy Spirit says about the Word, "All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work." (II Timothy 3:16-17) Some folks do not like the word, "all." Some folks want to pick and choose what all includes which is usually a way of reading with a buffet line attitude. What looks good is a part of what all entails and what does not fit into our view of the work is dismissed as irrelevant, archaic, or nonsense.
Now granted there are some things which might cause us to scratch our head more than one time as we wonder why they were included, but it seems the real question to ponder has not to do with what is included or omitted, but why. As the second question guides us, we are not as likely to see ourselves as the one who has the final vote on what the Word is saying. And, after all, if we are not reading to hear what the Word of God is saying, then we are surely reading for all the wrong reasons.
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