Resolutions

January is the month for resolutions. Beginning on the first day of the New Year, and often days before, many resolve to make changes in their lives. Dubbed “New Year’s resolutions,” proclamations at holiday gatherings and New Year’s Eve parties are made. Top resolutions include dieting, eating healthy, losing weight, and getting in shape. Many resolve to make changes as they seek a better life. What is it about the first day of a New Year that motivates people to make such decisions? Perhaps it is as simple as a new calendar with a fresh set of pages. It could also originate from the need to reach a higher form of self-actualization. Or maybe it is the sense of renewal a new beginning brings. For some, it is the unquenchable promise of hope that is attached to a change measured by a set number of days known as the calendar year. Whatever the case, January first is a day filled with hope and motivation and the belief in personal accomplishment. Nothing signifies personal accomplishment like a measurable achievement. Plans are made; journals are purchased; goals are written down; memberships are procured; and action is taken – all in the name of self-improvement.  

Christians aren’t immune to resolutions. In fact, many resolve to read the Bible in a year. I have made this resolution several times, as a matter of fact. Oh, like many, I started out strong, but somewhere in the middle of January I pushed it aside. One day became two, and soon it was a week, then a month. Pretty soon the year was half over, and I found myself resolving to do it the following year. As I considered this particular resolution, the thought occurred to me: Why do Christians have to resolve to read the Bible at all? Shouldn’t they read it out of devotion? Imagine someone resolving to read a novel in a year. Ridiculous, right? People read novels quickly, frequently devouring bestsellers in weeks or days, never mind an entire year. If Christians can read a novel quickly, why does it take so long to read the Bible? And, more to the point, why do Christians resolve to read a book they should already be reading? After all, the Bible is the fundamental document of Christianity. Muslims put Christians to shame when it comes to reading their foundational tome. So, why do Christians lag behind? And why do so many need to make a formal resolution to read it?

I considered these questions and decided to address them in turn. First, Christians make resolutions to read the Bible because they want to become more familiar with its contents. After all, it is unlike any other book on the planet. The Bible is from God and is, therefore, unique and distinct. It was not written to be read as a consecutive, chronological story for entertainment purposes. True, it does tell a story. However, its story is not a fictional narrative that is the product of its writers’ imaginations. The Bible contains the historical account of creation. Its pages are filled with mankind’s struggle with sin after Adam and Eve fell in the Garden of Eden. Offering hope, the Bible contains the Christmas story and the birth of a savior, whose life and death is chronicled. Dissimilar from other books, the Bible contains prophecies, many of which have been fulfilled. It also depicts images of the world’s demise. From beginning to end, the Bible presents an explanation for our existence and the purpose of our lives. More than a mere collection of historical information, it serves as a guide for moral living. Full of complex simplicity, the Bible comforts the downtrodden, inspires the brokenhearted, and provides peace to the grieving. As such, it isn’t a book to be read quickly. Rather, it’s a book to be studied slowly, methodically, and repeatedly.

Second, many Christians resolve to read the Bible because it is in fact the foundational document of Christianity. As such, Christians should be intimately familiar with its contents. However, as mentioned above, the Bible is more than an historical record or collection of stories. It provides a full and complete explanation for our origin. Perhaps more significantly, the Bible – and only the Bible – explains what lies beyond our mortal existence, namely Heaven and Hell. Possessing a keen understanding not only of these two places but also of how one ends up there is a crucial element of faith. If, as the Bible purports, the decisions made in this life have eternal consequences, it is imperative for adherents to have a clear understanding of Christianity’s governing tenets. Such an understanding can be gleaned from reading the Bible and studying it. Therefore, resolving to read it is a commitment to furthering one’s understanding.

Third, a resolution is a formal act, a declaration of sorts, delineating a specific course of action. Making a resolution to read the Bible in a year is a demonstration of faith. It is a commitment to study God’s word. Unlike other resolutions, reading the Bible in a year, which is often done on a daily basis, involves more than simply reading words on a page. Reading the Bible, whether as part of daily devotions or a resolution, builds and solidifies one’s relationship with God. Delving into Scripture is an exploratory endeavor that invites God into one’s life. Yielding to the Bible’s teaching and seeking wisdom is an essential element of faith and growth, which is something that takes time. It does not result from casual reading as part of repetitious task completion in order to achieve a goal.

While making a resolution to read the Bible in a year is certainly a noble endeavor, it is by no means conclusive. Unlike other books that can be read from start to finish and placed on a shelf, the Bible should be studied methodically, its contents digested slowly. Verses beg exposition and analysis; commentaries exist to provide insight; sermons are based on interpretations; and ministries are founded upon its doctrines. As Dr. James M. Boice once posited, many, if not all, of the moral advancements of society are the direct result of the teaching of the Bible. God’s word is timeless and exists in the present and should be studied daily. In regard to it, God spoke to Joshua and said, “…meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous” (1:9). Believers are commanded to study the Bible, not simply read it. Therefore, resolving to read it, although well intentioned, is missing the mark. Christians should resolve to study it and inwardly digest it.