Exhortations to Reading

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“Now when this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea” (Colossians 4:16).

Paul’s exhortation to the Colossians clearly shows the importance of reading scripture. He intended that his epistle (letter) be read by the Colossians, and then sent to the Laodiceans that they might read it as well. And vice versa. Why? Because the principles found in them have universal application to believers. When combined, all the writings of scripture (God’s revelation) perfect a man, equipping him for every good work (cf. 2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Those principles are equally applicable in our time. We too should read scripture. In this way, as Paul states, we can fully understand God’s revelation to man.

“How that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ” (Ephesians 3:3-4).

Do you like to read? Maybe not. Some don’t have the love of reading that others do. Here’s another question. Do you love reading God’s word? That’s different. Even if reading in general is “not your thing”, surely an opportunity to know the revelation of God to man is something that piques the curiosity, and overcomes any resistance to the work of reading. The reward is well worth the effort!

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Author: Stan Cox

Minister, West Side church of Christ since August of 1989 ........ Editor of Watchman Magazine (1999-2018 Archives available online @ http://watchmanmag.com) ........ Writer, The Patternists: https://www.facebook.com/ThePatternists