How to Experience the Bible

God intends for us to experience the Bible not just read it as an ancient piece of literature. The bible speaks of itself many times throughout it's pages and gives instruction on how it should be handled. Understanding what God's Word says about itself is crucial in getting the most out of the study of it. For today's believers the Bible has an extremely important significance regarding faith and everyday life. It is the main source of doctrine and teaching for believers worldwide. It is vital that individuals experience the Bible as God intends and do not miss out on all the blessing they could receive.

In order to experience the Bible it must be understood that it is not just an ordinary book but that it is alive and active. Hebrews 4:12a says "for the Word of God is living and active." (NIV) The Word of God is not a dormant collection of writings to be read only, but it is to be received in faith as living and active and able do something for those who take it in. There are several places throughout Scripture where God's Word is proclaimed to be living. First Peter 1:23 says, "for you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring Word of God." (NIV) First John 2:14b says, "I write to you young men because you are strong, and the Word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one." (NIV)

In these verses we can clearly see that God's Word is proclaimed to be alive and that it greatly benefits those who accept it. In First Peter 1:23 we can see that it is through His Word that we are born again. Once we are born again through the living Word we can see it living in other Christians as is proclaimed in First John 2:14b. John was able to recognize the Word of God living in the young men to whom he was writing to. Experience the Bible as these young men did and the results will be outwardly visible to others.

In Hebrews 4:12 we have a detailed description of the activities of the living Word of God. It describes it as "sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates to even dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." (NIV) The Word of God goes deeply into the heart of man to take out corruption and to heal, much like a surgeon. It is very precise and leaves nothing undone for the salvation of those who allow the living Word of God to work in their lives.

Those who experience the Bible can testify to it's goodness. Hebrews 6:5a speaks about those "who have tasted the goodness of the Word of God" (NIV). This section of Scripture is actually warning people so that they do not turn from God, but in it, it paints a picture of how a person can experience the Bible and compares it to tasting its goodness. While we cannot literally taste the Word of God with our physical senses, we can experience its goodness if we allow it to work in our hearts as Hebrews 4:12 describes.

Many Christians all over the world, past and present, can testify of the goodness they have experienced through the Word of God working in and through them. First of all, they were born again through the Word of God, and after this new birth, the Word of God continued to live in them to cut out sinful, harmful attitudes and motives and to implant good, righteous attitudes and motives that lead to life and peace. The double-edged sword of the Word of God not only cuts out the evil, but implants the good. The ancient catholic mystics have many experiences to share about the goodness of God and His Word.

To experience the Bible, it is not enough to simply hear the Word of God. The hearing only of God's Word can actually lead to deception. James 1:22 says, "do not merely listen to the Word and so deceive yourselves; do what it says." (NIV) The Word of God is active and it calls for action. Reading it just to gain information is not an acceptable way to handle God's Word. Those who read and hear must act in faith upon the knowledge that they gain. The Word of God cannot do its intended work unless it is handled in this way. The book of Revelation shows this truth as well. Revelation 1:3 says, "blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it because the time is near." The blessing of God comes upon those who read it, hear it, and take it to heart. Just simply reading and hearing is not enough.

It is possible that someone can know the Bible inside and out and never put it into practice. Although this person may appear spiritual by their knowledge of Scripture, they have handled the Word of God inappropriately and have missed the blessings that could have been theirs. They haven't treated God's Word as living and have not experienced its goodness the way it was intended. However, someone who has just come to faith can read God's Word, take it to heart, do what it says, and experience its goodness right away in their lives. This is how God intends all of His Children to experience the Bible.

God's Word is living and active. It was designed for mankind to experience, not just to read. Believers experience the Bible by obedience. As believers continue to handle the Word of God carefully, giving it the respect, awe, and reverence it deserves, the power of God's Word transforms them into maturity, having the complete love of God filling their hearts. God's Word brings about transformation and is a gift to all who will receive and experience its goodness and power.