Menu
Now What?
  • Home
  • Category
    • Christian Faith
    • Conversion
    • Death and Grief
    • God
    • Home and Family
    • Jesus
    • Mental and Emotional Health
    • Physical Health
    • Social Issues
    • Work
  • Information
    • Contact Info
    • About Us
    • Send Us Your Story
  • Links
    • Bible Advocate Online
    • Lead Up
  • Do You Know Jesus?
Now What?

Why You Need the Bible

Posted on November 3, 2010May 3, 2023

by John Chrysostom (c. 347-407)


 

Don’t let anyone make excuses like these: “I’m too busy with politics.” “I’ve got this or that public duty to fulfill.” “I’m a skilled worker. I must get on with my job.” “I’ve a wife and children to feed; I must provide for my family.” In other words, “I’m a layman; it’s not my business to read the Bible. I’ll leave that to professional Christians like monks, nuns, priests and theology students.”

What on earth are you saying? It’s “not your business to read the Bible” because you’ve got too many other things to bother about? But that’s the very reason why you need to read the Bible! The more worries you have, the more you need the Bible to keep you going! People like monks and nuns who have left the troubles of the world behind are quite safe; they are like ships sailing on a calm sea, or moored in a quiet harbour. But you are in the middle of this godless world’s stormy sea, and so you need spiritual help and sustenance far more urgently. They live far from the battlefield, out of the sound of gunfire; but you are in the front line, face to face with the enemy, and you are bound to suffer frequent blows and be severely wounded. So you need the medicine chest close at hand.

Your wife irritates you, you worry about your children, your enemies are waiting to catch you out, someone you thought was your friend is jealous of you, your neighbour spreads rumours about you or picks quarrels with you, your colleague acts behind your back, someone sues you, you suffer from poverty, you lose your nearest and dearest, success gives you a boost and then trouble brings you down to the depths again . . . Where can you find a suit of armour, or a castle from which to defend yourself? Where can you find ointment for your wounds, but in the Bible? . . .

Haven’t you noticed how a smith, mason or carpenter, or any other craftsman, however much his back is against the wall, will never sell or pawn the tools of his trade? If he did, how could he earn his living? That is how we should think of the Bible. Just as mallets, hammers, saws, chisels, axes and hatchets are the tools of the craftsman’s trade, so the books of the prophets and the apostles, and all scripture inspired by the Holy Spirit, are the tools of our salvation.


A version of this article appeared in a past issue of the Bible Advocate magazine.

 

About the Author

From the sermon “On Lazarus.” John Chrysostom, a fourth century church leader in Antioch and Constantinople, emphasized the “plain meaning of Scripture.” He was known as the greatest preacher of the early church, and for that reason was given the nickname Chrysostom, meaning “golden-mouthed.”

 

Recent Posts

  • Reckless LoveSeptember 1, 2023
    He was a pre-teen who came with warnings from the foster care system of creating problems, but a husband and wife still wanted him. They believed what he really needed was tough love. And that made the difference.
  • A Church in Crisis – or in ChristAugust 1, 2023
    So often we don’t know what goes on in the minds of pastors. They are human and as susceptible to negative emotions and temptation as we are. After the disclosure of one pastor’s unbiblical behavior, his wife and church faced a choice for the outcome. They made the right choice.
  • God Comes Harder to Me NowJuly 1, 2023
    What is your view of God? Is He your best friend and companion? If your view of God has been changed due to tough circumstances in life, you are in good company. Read about a woman who suffered multiple losses that threatened her faith, but didn’t give in to that threat.
  • ‘Please Stay Awhile’June 1, 2023
    How God tends the gardens of our hearts. by Teresa Harris   In the winter of 2022, just weeks after my dad’s earthly journey ended, I stood gazing out...
  • Waiting In HopeMay 1, 2023
    It’s never too late to learn new lessons of trust. by Yvonne Kays   Colors of fall reflected in the waters of Mirror Pond. Children squealed with glee as...
©2023 Now What? | WordPress Theme by Superb WordPress Themes