Why Read the Bible? A Dedication Written In a Gift-Bible

A Bible is one of the greatest gifts anyone can receive! Though it was written by forty human authors over a period of 1600 years, they are all united by the Divine authorship that superintended their writing, so that using their own personality and vocabulary they recorded the revelation of God without error. Imagine it! God has written a book so that generations living after the prophets and apostles can know Him. St. Augustine spoke truly, "The Holy Scriptures are our letters from home."

The author of the letter to the Hebrews in the New Testament testifies, "For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart," (Hebrews 4:11-12). As someone wisely said, "you may read many books but this book will read you!"

Martin Luther wrote, "The Bible is alive, it speaks to me; it has feet, it runs after me; it has hands, it lays hold of me!" This is true because the Spirit of God witnesses to us as we read; exposing, convincing, rebuking, pleading, and comforting us. Thus the philosopher Immanuel Kant said, "A single line in the Bible has consoled me more than all the books I ever read beside."

Our world presents us with an extensive menu of religious options, (e.g. the teachings of Buddha, the Koran, the book of Mormon, Nostradamus, etc.). Humanity convulses with conflicting claims and the absurd notion that every opinion is equally true. So let me add one more thought about the greatness of this gift; the Bible tells us the truth about God. It tells the truth about His love and the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ. The Bible is God's authoritative message explaining man's sinfulness, rebellion, self-deception, and His saving, reconciling grace through Jesus Christ.

Truth is not subjective, but by its very nature, truth is objective, a standard by which we can judge the claims of others. God has revealed the truth concerning Himself, His Son, and man's need in these pages. Please give the message of this book an honest hearing by reading and considering the claims of the One who created you for His glory. Jesus Christ said to His disciples, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me," (John 14:6); and "...all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me…thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in His name to all nations," (Luke 24:44-48).

So my friend, I close this gift dedication with the prayer that you might know the great gift of God's love and mercy, and may find Jesus Christ to be the One in whom you may place all of your trust and confidence for eternal life, lasting hope, and the forgiveness of sins.

- Bob St. John