Bible Reading Statistics

 Lifeway Research: Americans Are Fond of the Bible, Don’t Actually Read It

Google's Blogger provides me with statistics on who stops by. It doesn't tell me whether or not they read this page, and few make comments. Those who post awesomely unbelievable financial opportunities are immediately deleted, so we won't be able to compare them to possible readership.

As you can see from the results of a Lifeway survey published back in 2017, only 20% of those responding had completed reading the Bible. Less than the total number who have read none or only a few sentences - and apparently those few sentences may not have been from a Bible, but were quoted elsewhere. Yet, Lifeway wrote:

Almost nine out of 10 households (87 percent) own a Bible, according to the American Bible Society, and the average household has three.

We have a lot more than average:  my grandmother's, both my parents', my aunt's, mine, my husband's, a four-version for studies, my Greek inter-linear translation, and a couple that were gifts, mostly New Testaments. But I fall into the "All of it more than once" category.

So, why do I want people to read a book that was begun thousands of years ago, written by a wide variety of people, widely varying with time and culture, yet tells us a continous story of a deity interested in the world He created? Because that story has a beginning and ending timeline, and an impact on our daily lives.

I desire that readers would go further than a single verse. While I do love:

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16 KJV)

I do not want readers to miss:

He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:18 KJV)

While I firmly believe:

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV)

It takes a Bible to share where that necessary faith is to be placed, and why works do not save but are an intregal result of faith - not a prerequisite. There is a progress made. While salvation is "easy," understanding why it is so and what the results will be takes time and a path that is followed. Jesus described it:

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (Matthew 7:13-14 KJV)

Note that "strait" does not equal "straight." It is also not predictable. While the way does lead to eternal life, there may be what appear as roadblocks, sharp turns, even detours, but staying on that way is well worth the time to learn about the whys and wherefores.

Matthew chapters five through seven are awesome in the explanation of what is expected of a follower of Jesus Christ. Nope, not one of us is perfect - we do miss the mark  along the way. That's why we aren't your true examples. We musts be measured against what Jesus taught, and we may be questioned as to where we don't meet standards. However, don't judge us by men's standards - Jesus has some already set. Matthew 7 opens with:

Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. (Matthew 7:1-2 KJV)

The measure we use should be the measure used on us. If I make a judgement call about another person's actions by rebuking them, I should do it biblically. Do you know where to find that criteria? It's not confined to a single verse, nor a small area of verses. Jesus gave God's answer to a lawyer's question:

Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (Matthew 22:36-40 KJV)

Whenever we fail to be Christian in our daily lives, the reasoon will be a failure to have done one of these two commandments. You wouldn't know that without reading your Bible. I purpose to increase my Bible reading - will you?

Let's Talk Politics

No graphics this time - it would be distracting to show political crowds, banners, flags, voting - even from different countries. The focus will be on what Jesus said about governments and how to treat them.  Here are all the verses from the four gospels regarding governments, good, bad, or indifferent:

They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's. (Matthew 22:21 KJV)

And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marvelled at him. (Mark 12:17 KJV)

And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's. (Luke 20:25 KJV)

Did you expect more? Jesus came to change the lives of people - not of nations, tribes, races, or any other designation. Yes, He spoke to crowds - of people, individuals. His messages were to offer changes to their lives that brought attention to God and His abilities. The one mentioned most:

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:16-18 KJV)

He was speaking as a Jew to a religiously trained Jew, but no words designated them as being separate from the "whosoever" of the world God loves. The word translated "whosoever" in this verse is Strong's: 

G3956

πᾶς (pas) Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole: - all (manner of, means) alway (-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no (-thing), X throughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever. (Total KJV occurrences: 1238)

Sounds very inclusive to me. Yet, to a Jew then, and in many ways now, the world was divided into Jews and Gentiles. Everyone not a Jew was a Gentile - but God made it clear throughout the Bible that while the Jews were a special people to show Him to others, Gentiles could be His, too.  In God's eyes there was, and is, no difference - all were "whosoever."

Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. (Acts 10:34-35 KJV)

There is no mention of directing religious views, requiring force, invoking change, feeling hatred, or instructions to disregard to any specific country - especially during a time when Jews (along with many defeated neighbors) were mistreated under Rome's military rule. In fact, Jesus apostle wrote:

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:1-4 KJV)

We are to pray for our leaders, for all that are in authority. There is no doubt this meant the Roman emperor who sent troops to neighboring lands were to be included in prayer. Christians would have been praying for Nero as he blamed them for problems Rome encountered, even as he sent them to death.

Remember - the only rulers in Peter's time came on behalf of Rome. Even the Jewish leaders depended on Romans to hold their power. Does that change what Peter wrote:

Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king. (1 Peter 2:13-17 KJV)

Paul also admonished Christians to respect authority:

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. (Romans 13:1-2 KJV)

The Pulpit Commentary for these verses begins:

From admonitions to keep peace, if possible, with all men, whether or not within the Christian circle, and to act honourably and benevolently towards all, the apostle now passes to the duty of Christians towards the civil government and the laws of the country in which they lived.

What can we do, then, when we see corruption in leadership, unlawful activity, or disregard for human lives? Once again the Bible provides instruction:

Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. (Colossians 4:6 KJV)

But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: (Ephesians 4:15 KJV)

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: 

(1 Peter 3:15 KJV)

When you have a truth, you need to tell it to others, but speak it with love. Especially when it appears they do not know truth. Best to be certain your heart is in the right place, too. As a Christian, your truth may be seen as an outright lie by others. Know why you need to speak out, and look for the glorification of God in your speaking.

Even when an action might be taken, see what can be done with words. David did so with Saul, sparing him while explaining. Saul's death by David's hands was not part of God's solution:

And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men's words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt? Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the LORD had delivered thee to day into mine hand in the cave: and some bade me kill thee: but mine eye spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he is the LORD'S anointed. Moreover, my father, see, yea, see the skirt of thy robe in my hand: for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe, and killed thee not, know thou and see that there is neither evil nor transgression in mine hand, and I have not sinned against thee; yet thou huntest my soul to take it. (1 Samuel 24:9-11 KJV)

Sometimes, as David, we must accept what is, knowing that what was, is, and will be is in God's hands and His timing. Then, we still have instructions, including the opening verses of this blog and:

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. (Matthew 5:44-45 KJV)

The ability to disagree strongly is evident among Christians, even with a common goal. It does us all well not to separate in vitriolic anger, but to continue doing our jobs well within God's will:

And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus; And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God. (Acts 15:39-40 KJV)

These scriptures are applicable in every facet of our lives. Please take time to read them in context - and feel free to comment. 

Another Look at Armor

 Metropolitan Museum of Art, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Let's take another look at what is called the "whole armor of God" as written by Paul to the Ephesians:

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 

Here Paul gives us the reason we need defensive armor - and it is not one single individual we call Satan, but it is a list of those who are actively working to prove God is incapable of delivering on His promises made to this world. There are many listed here, some we can see working in this world and some that are unseen, spiritual. Some we see them working, others we can only see their results as they work within people. What we are to do with our defensive armor is to withstand evil, to remain stedfast with our Lord.

Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, 

To stand stedfastly against the wiles of Satan, we need to know the truth. To search out any lies and discard them. For me, the first comparison for truth is the Bible. That is an important word and has a deepth of meaning. KJV uses "truth" shows 237 times, in 224 verses. One of my favorites is Jesus' answer to Pilate in John 18:37 and Pilate's discard in verse 38. Also, Paul's description of those who turn God's truth into lies, Romans 1.25. Need help with truth? Read John 16:13. Therefore, wrap your body with truth.

and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 

The Bible tells us in Isaiah 41:26 and again in Romans 3:10 that not  one of us is truly righteous in God's eyes. We have sinned. There is no doubt that every single individual has some sin in our loves. You know yours - and probably others know yours, too. So - how do we become righteous? I like the explanation in Romans 4:3-5. The breastplate that protects our heart, our vital organs, is faith in God, who will acceept us as righteous (morally right or justifiable; virtuous.)

And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 

There are verses in the Old and New Testament that speak of beautiful feet - Isaiah 52:7 and it's quote in Romans 10:15. The gospels speak of feet often, especially sending His disciples in Luke 9:1-10 and  Mark 6:7-13, and sending the 70, two by two in Luke 10:1-24. Every one of these verses speak of people going out specifically to share God's gospel with others. Missionaries. Shod feet is very appropriate!

Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, 

I'm putting these two items together. They are both protective, and the second does not work without the first. A basic truth is laid out in John 3:16-18. Salvation requires belief in God and Jesus as His son. Without that belief, there is no salvation. Paul says the same in Ephesians 2:8. 

and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 

That's our only weapon - and it's only words, selected for use through God's inspiration. Every scripture reference/link that got you this far is one I've read, marked, and studied. It was through God's word I discovered I could be righteous through belief in Him and His son, Jesus. I was told this by a large number of people who spoke God's gospel. I do believe they not only have beautiful feet, but beautiful souls.

Because they shared the gospel with me, I discovered what faith could do, and accepted the salvation God offered. Then, lived as many humans have done since Creation - with sin. I've made mistakes along the way and learned how to accept God's forgiveness. That is done through prayer. Paul knew prayer is powerful and included a prayer request - for believers, and for himself.

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, (Ephesians 6:10-19 KJV)

Pray with me for all saints, those who have followed directions, sought, and found God. Pray, too, for those who still do what Paul was sent to do - share God's good news of the Christ's salvation for all who believe. Share the faith.