John Wesley once said in a sermon:
“Give me that Book! At any price, give me the Book of God! I have it: here is knowledge enough for me. Let me be homo unius libri (a man of one book).”
The Book he was referring to is the Bible.
John Wesley believed that the Bible is the final authority from God for faith and practice. It is the Book we use as the standard for daily living. We follow the teachings of the Bible.
God’s Word lights our path and guides us in holy living, in service, and in love for one another.
However, for many of us, the Bible is not always easy to understand. We need people to teach us God’s Word so that we can grow in our faith and in our walk with God.
Apart from the Bible, God also uses Christian literature—spiritual songs, hymns, books, devotionals, and sermons—to speak to us.
We give thanks for the many Christian writers, poets, hymn and songwriters, journalists, and scholars—both past and present—who have been nourished by God’s Word and have taken the time to help others see it more clearly. They are God’s mouthpieces to us as we navigate through life.
God uses them to speak to us and inspire us in our Christian journey.
There are times when physical mentors are not available to us, but we can still learn from their wisdom through their literary works.
📘 To Know God More Deeply
Books written by faithful Christian writers and theologians offer rich insights into God’s Word and His character.
When I was younger, I found Philip Yancey’s books especially impactful—titles such as Disappointment with God, Where Is God When It Hurts?, The Jesus I Never Knew, and Prayer helped me see different facets of God.
Philip Yancey is one of the authors who inspired me to love Jesus more and to understand His heart.
Christian writers help us discern right from wrong. They guide us toward sound theology and deeper understanding.
🔥 To Ignite Our Passion for Living
There is a wide selection of Christian books available today. Reading them helps us understand our purpose here on earth.
John Piper once said:
“The reason for reading Christian books is not just to be smarter, but to be more in love with Christ and more useful to His people.”
Mother Teresa’s journal entries have also been an encouragement to me. In her journals, she wrote about experiencing spiritual darkness—even as she ministered to the dying and the sick in Calcutta.
She described a deep pain that tormented her soul from the beginning of her mission with the poor.
Although she felt as if God wasn’t near, she knew she was a “child of His love.”
She wrote:
“I want to smile even at Jesus and so hide, if possible, the pain and the darkness of my soul even from Him.”
She also said:
“If I ever become a Saint—I will surely be one of ‘darkness.’ I will continually be absent from Heaven—to light the light of those in darkness on earth.”
What beautiful writing, and what strong faith! Even in spiritual darkness, she held on to Jesus, knowing she was called to bring light to those in darkness.
👥 To Be Mentored by Godly Men and Women
Through books, we can access the minds of godly men and women from today—and from hundreds of years ago.
In today’s fast-moving world, each of us has limited time to meet in person. It’s rare to sit down with a mentor to ask questions or learn deeply from them.
Even though I have accessible lecturers who are just a text away, reading books allows for deeper, longer reflection on important topics—far beyond surface-level conversations.
John Piper said:
“Reading gives us access to centuries of godly wisdom. Not reading is cutting ourselves off from the communion of the saints.”
Books give us the opportunity to glean wisdom from different cultures, time periods, and perspectives.
We live in a modern world with easy access to books and resources—what a gift!
💍 Learning Through Christian Books on Marriage
How did I learn about marriage?
I’m not married, but I have preached at weddings and conducted pre-marital counselling.
I’ve learned from my parents, of course—but another key source has been Christian books on marriage by authors like Paul Tripp, the late Timothy Keller, and others.
These writers explain biblical teachings on marriage and offer practical steps for daily life with a spouse.
95% of my friends are married. Some of them often complain about being married. That’s why I turn to Christian writers for wisdom, so my views on marriage are not distorted by negative opinions.
These books have taught me how to treat a spouse with love and respect, rather than just complain about one another.
When we read books, we are mentored by wise and godly people, shaped by their experiences with God.
👨🍳 Brother Lawrence and the Presence of God
I once read The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence.
He encouraged his suffering friends by saying:
“How sweet it is to suffer with God. Great though the sufferings may be.”
Brother Lawrence was a cook, and he spoke to Jesus as if Jesus were physically present with him in the kitchen.
His simplicity and devotion are inspiring.
🌱 To Nourish Our Soul
Just as we need food for our physical bodies, we need nourishment for our souls.
We do that, in part, by reading Christian books.
Just like our bodies need a variety of nutrients, our minds and spirits benefit from reading books from different genres and perspectives.
This helps us grow in our worldview, deepen our understanding of God, and appreciate the beauty of other human beings.
📖 Christian Literature and the Bible
The Bible can never be replaced.
We cannot simply read spiritual books and neglect God’s Word.
Christian literature does not replace the Bible. Instead, it points us to it, explains it, and offers us practical application.
Christian literature is like stained glass—it helps us see the light of Scripture in color.
Reading spiritual materials nourishes our soul and transforms us from the inside out.
Bringing Light to Others
Mother Teresa once said she wanted to bring light to those in darkness.
Through Christian literature, we too can bring light to others.
Think of the influence of:
- John Wesley’s sermons and journals
- Charles Wesley’s hymns, which still minister to us today
- Testimonies, letters, and devotionals written by everyday believers
God’s Word is a lamp, and we are the lamp-bearers.
Many people in the society are lost, confused, sad, anxious, and hurting.
Are we called to carry the light of the Gospel—through word and deed?
Yes, we are. Let us bring God’s Word of hope and love to them. It will be like a light that surrounds them.
Your story, your insight, your testimony may be the light someone else needs.
So share what God has done in your life.
Pass on good books that help you during your difficult moments.
Recommend Christ-centered resources to your friends.
Don’t hide the light but be a blessing to others through the blessing you have received.
Conclusion
Life is not always easy. We go through ups and downs. There are mountaintop moments where everything seems smooth and we enjoy success and fruitfulness. But there are also seasons when we feel discouraged and disheartened—walking through valleys, feeling spiritually dry, and wondering if God is far away.
But take heart—we are not alone.
We are not walking in darkness.
God is with us.
His Word is a lamp to our path and a light to our feet.
Let us delight in knowing more about God—not only through the Bible, but also through faithful, Christ-centered Christian literature.
Let us read about Him.
Let us grow in Him.
And let us bring His light to the world.
