Scriptures are to be read in the churches

“And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.” Colossians 4:16 (Read Colossians 4:15-18)

How important it is to read and hear the Scriptures! In both the Old Testament and the New are commands to read the Scriptures.

In Deuteronomy 31:11-13, Moses commanded: “When all Israel is come to appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose, thou shalt read this law before all Israel in their hearing. Gather the people together, men, and women, and children, and thy stranger that is within thy gates, that they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear the LORD your God, and observe to do all the words of this law: And that their children, which have not known any thing, may hear, and learn to fear the LORD your God, as long as ye live in the land whither ye go over Jordan to possess it.”

Paul commanded Timothy: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15). He also commanded Timothy to “give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine” (1 Tim. 4:13).

It is through the Scriptures that we are made “wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 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 perfect [meaning complete], throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Tim. 3:15-17).

Since God’s Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path (Psalm 119:105), and since faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word (Rom. 10:17), reading, hearing and studying the Scriptures is so important for us as Christians. When we err in our ways and fall into some sin, God’s Word rebukes us and reveals our sin and need for repentance. When we are troubled by guilt and shame, God’s Word comforts us with the assurance that Christ Jesus paid in full for all our sins when He suffered and died upon the cross — that through faith in the crucified and risen Christ Jesus we have God’s pardon and forgiveness! When we desire to serve God and do His will, God’s Word teaches us what God’s will is and shows us how to conduct our lives here in this world.

How sad it is that both Christians and Christian churches so often fail to give attention to the reading and study of God’s Word! As a result, sins go unrebuked, troubled consciences go uncomforted, and many believers have no guidance and direction in their lives. And because people fail to continue in the Word, countless souls are lost to the lies and false teaching of the devil and his minion preachers.

Jesus said to those who believed in Him: “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32).

Let us take the time to read, study and meditate upon God’s Word that He might graciously strengthen and keep us in the true faith in Jesus Christ until we go to be with Him forever in heaven!