Is your Bible alive? It’s supposed to be. Yes, we receive the Word of God through printed letters on paper, but it is more than that. It is the will, the essence, the nature, the very person of God. It is very much alive.

For the word of God is living and active and full of power [making it operative, energizing, and effective]. It is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as the division of the soul and spirit [the completeness of a person], and of both joints and marrow [the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 (Amplified Bible, AMP)

Jesus Himself is called the Word of God (John 1:1, 14). We know that Jesus is not dead, but lives forever, so we can also say that the Word lives forever.

For you have been born again [that is, reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, and set apart for His purpose] not of seed which is perishable but [from that which is] imperishable and immortal, that is, through the living and everlasting word of God. I Peter 1:23 (Amplified Bible, AMP) emphasis mine

When we read the Word with a heart to receive life from it, the Holy Spirit brings the Word to life for us. He causes verses to jump off the page and revelation to flow. The Word has the power to change us from the inside out. It searches our hearts and motives and shows us where we need to become more like Christ. Without a doubt, the Word is alive.

“Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that.” Mark 7:13 (New International Version, NIV)

The religious leaders of Jesus day knew the Word of God but it was not alive to them. They were supposed to be the most well-versed people when it came to the Word of God. They were so wrapped up in dead,dry religion that they did not receive life from the Word, but simply saw it as a religious historical document of rules and regulation. They even pushed aside the Word of God and had substituted it with meaningless traditions. As a result, the Word provided no life to them. We need to be careful not to put our church traditions and doctrines ahead of what the Word says. Many things done and taught in churches today actually have no scriptural basis. It is important to keep such things in the proper perspective and priority. While some of these things are not harmful, we must make sure the Word has precedent over them in our lives.

When we read the Bible, do we get anything from it, or is it just something we do in order to meet our “daily obligation” to God? God did not write the Bible for Himself. He gave us His Word for our benefit. It is for our growth and development. It is to be a life-giving source for us, especially in today’s world. If we read the Word and it is no more to us than ink on paper, we are wasting our time. We must approach the Bible as our lifeline. As we go to the Word daily, let’s go with a sense of anticipation, expecting the Holy Spirit to show us something meaningful. As we study the Word of God, inviting the Holy Spirit to be our Teacher and Guide, we will experience the life of God being breathed into us.

If your Bible is not alive, it can be. Simply invite the Holy Spirit into your study time and expect Him to reveal life changing truth to you. And, trust me, He will.