We know that the Bible is important, but why? Why do we need to read it, study it, memorize it and fellowship about it? In this post I will give you 6 reasons why scripture is important for Christians. I’m going to do this by answering this question using scripture, and with the assumption that you’re saved because of Jesus Christ.

If you want to know more about salvation you can click on this link that will take you to our post “What is Salvation?“.

II Timothy 3:16

This verse explains why scripture is important for Christians.

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. II Timothy 3:16

This one verse contains so much information! At first glance it seemed pretty cut and dry to me, but when I started breaking it down it got a little more in depth.
Lets break this down together, and see why scripture is important for Christians.

1. IT’S GOD’S WORDS!

Scripture is God’s Words! “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God…” This tells us that God Himself inspired each author of the Bible. God called each individual author to write down their own perspective, which was inspired by God. When we look at the 4 gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John we read about different events, but through multiple perspectives. As an example let’s look at the Lords Prayer; Matthew 6:8-13 uses the wording “In this manner pray” while Luke 11:2-4 uses “When you pray say”.

These two different perspectives, given by inspiration from God, help us to better understand how God wants us to use this prayer.

SCRIPTURE IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT’S GOD’S WORD

Only God can take all of these biblical writings and intertwine them in such a way that they build off of each other. God does this in a way that EVERY Christian can read and learn from it. If our faith is in God, then we need to believe 100% that every word is from God! We can’t pick and choose which words are God’s truths, and which ones are not. It’s all from God, and it’s here to help us!

2. It’s a Beneficial Guide to Life!

Scripture is a beneficial guide to life! “…and is profitable for doctrine,..” This portion of the verse is telling us that the doctrine contained in scripture is good for us. Do you need encouragement? There’s a verse for that. What about how to raise children? There’s a verse for that! Having struggles in your marriage? God tells us how to have a stable marriage! (I Corinthians 7:1-5, Ephesians 5:22-33)

SCRIPTURE IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT’S A BENEFICIAL GUIDE TO LIFE

We need to realize that we can look at scripture as doctrine because it is a guidebook to life. We know scripture is God’s word, so it’s important to use scripture to help live this life! God won’t lead us astray.

3. It Gives us a Conscience!

Scripture gives us a conscience! “for reproof“ This is very important for a Christian. For reproof means that scripture will tell us what we are doing wrong. When we struggle with a specific sin that God wants us to repent from, He will bring it up when we are reading or studying scripture. As an example, if you are struggling with acting out your anger He might lead you to read Proverbs 19:11 or James 1:19 (slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God).
It’s not always easy, but it is important.

SCRIPTURE IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT GIVES US A CONSCIENCE

Scripture will always tell us if we are doing something wrong. Our friends will never 100% of the time give us reproof. But, God will through His scripture! It’s important to know what we are doing wrong, so we can live a better life according to God’s calling for us.

4. It Shows us the Correct Action!

Scripture shows us the correct actions to take! “for correction“ Correction is different than reproof. Correction is what needs to be done after we have been reproofed. If God reproofed you for acting out your anger, He might give you correction by leading you to the beginning of James 1:19, So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak.

SCRIPTURE IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT SHOWS US THE CORRECT ACTION

Because God loves us He gives us the correction after He reproofs us. Again, He can use Scripture to offer a solution, and that is important in a Christian’s spiritual growth!

5. It Explains in Detail How We Can Be Righteous in God’s Eyes!

Scripture explains how we can be righteous in God’s eyes! “for instruction in righteousness“ Hebrews 5:12-14 is another example telling us that scripture has instructions for righteousness. We are not righteous at all, but if we take scripture seriously we can be righteous in God’s eyes.

SCRIPTURE IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT EXPLAINS IN DETAIL HOW WE CAN BE RIGHTEOUS IN GOD’S EYES

The only reason we can be granted salvation is because God has found a way for us to be rid of all of our sins and let righteousness to shine through. (Romans 3:21-26) This is just another example of why scripture is important for Christians.

6. It Prepares us to do Good Things!

Scripture prepares us to do Good things! “thoroughly equipped for every good work.” God calls us to do good works, and scripture prepares us to do all the things that He calls us to do. (Ephesians 2:1-10) God knows that once upon a time we did works that were not good because we did not have good intentions, and it came from a selfish heart.

SCRIPTURE IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT PREPARES US TO DO GOOD THINGS

We are able to do the Good Works that He has called us to do because He has laid it all out in scripture and then in our hearts! He prepared us for good works by teaching us through scripture right and wrong, the correct actions, and how to be righteous, all so we can do good works.

CONCLUSION

The Bible is our God given instruction book! The more we read it AND apply it to our life the more relevant it is for each individual Christian. Scripture is important for Christians, and we can’t ignore it.

We hope you search our Free Bible Studies from Christian Fellowshipping for more encouraging ways to fellowship with God and other believers.

References:
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.