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Why should readers read Christian Fiction...
Everyone loves curling up with a good book and a steaming mug of coffee. Good stories are a beautiful way to capture the imagination, gain a new perspective on life, and be inspired. But Christian fiction goes a step beyond that. For a believer in Jesus, Christian fiction holds great power to entertain, encourage, and influence. 
	First, Christians should read Christian fiction because of its power to entertain. Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Choosing entertainment that is honoring to the Lord can be difficult in a world competing for constant attention. Every day, Christians face the challenge of filtering through the bombardment of social media, movies, television, and books to discover something uplifting. Christian fiction provides entertainment that rises to the challenge Paul gives in Philippians 4:8. Writing that encourages Biblical thinking and exhibits truth, beauty, and virtue is an invaluable resource for Christians. Christian fiction answers the need for God-honoring entertainment in today’s world.
	Second, Christians should read Christian fiction because of its power to encourage. Life never ceases to bring trials, burdens, and hurt. Many times, Christians feel alone and powerless against the struggles that weigh on their hearts and affect their lives. One of the goals of Christian fiction is to provide encouragement to believers battling real-life issues. This fulfills the Biblical command in 1 Thessalonians 5:11 to “comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.” Christian fiction has enormous power to uplift believers, remind them that they are not alone, and unveil the power of Jesus Christ in a life surrendered to Him. Proverbs 16:24 gives weight to this. “Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.” Words on a page can change a life. Christian fiction has power to encourage the broken and uplift the weary.
	Third, Christians should read Christian fiction because of its power to influence. Stories are the most memorable way to reveal a life-changing truth. That is the reason Jesus taught in parables during His ministry on earth. By comparing spiritual concepts to earthly ones, Jesus used the parables to preach effectively. Christian fiction does the same thing. By using familiar themes and life-like, relatable characters, it influences Christians to live fully dedicated to Jesus Christ. Christian fiction can even be a tool to influence those outside the body of believers. People who do not know Jesus may pick up a Christian book and hear the gospel for the first time. In this way, Christian fiction fulfills Jesus’ command in Matthew 28:19-20 to spread the gospel. “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” When it contains the gospel, Christian fiction fulfills the Great Commission and influences the world for Jesus.
	Christian fiction has power to entertain, encourage, and influence. As the famous quote from Charlie Jones says, “You will be the same person in five years as you are today except for the people you meet and the books you read.” Stories have a profound effect. And a story that holds a wealth of truth, encouragement, and inspiration has the power to alter the course of a life.