The Word of God

The Word of God

           Think of someone you are close to relationally. Now, imagine that person wrote a book, how eager would you be to pick up and read that book? Perhaps you would read it with more enthusiasm and concentration than any other book you’ve read.
               Now, imagine that very book held all the knowledge you would ever need for all matters of spirituality; all knowledge you would ever need for all matters of life, death, and what comes after. If that was the case, I imagine you would go over it with a fine-tooth comb.
               However, as you probably already know, that book exists and if you would be eager to read such a book by someone you know and love, how much more eager should you be to read such a book by someone who knows and loves you? Not only knows and loves you but is the sovereign God of the universe.
            The bible is that book; the most incredible and unique book ever written. All the power, longevity, and relevance the book has sustained in the millennia since it was written is all due to its author.

               2 Timothy 3:16- “All scripture is given by inspiration of God”

              2 Peter 1:21- “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but                   holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”

              We don’t have to stand in the dark as to what God wants us to know- it’s been given to us by Him. Formed by 66 books written over the course of about 1500 years (from Moses in 1500 BC to John in 90 AD) by around 40 different men. These men came from all walks of life; from hermits and fisherman to scribes and prophets. The Old Testament was written in Hebrew and the New Testament in Koine Greek.
         Despite the many authors and the time it took to complete it has one continuous story (God’s dealing with man from fall, redemption, and eternity), it tells of one plan of salvation (by grace through faith), it has one central theme (Jesus Christ), and it has one central purpose (to bring glory to God). No other book in the history of mankind has even come close to inspiring more art, poems, music, and other writings than the bible.
           No other book has been hated or attacked like the bible and yet it still exists and is much more readily available now than at any time in its history. This is as God said it would be, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” (Matthew 24:35) A.W. Pink stated, “No other book has provoked such fierce opposition as the Bible, and its preservation is perhaps the most startling miracle connected with it.”
            The bible is so wrapped up in the fabric of our culture that many people use biblical terminology without even knowing it’s from the bible. Idioms such “a drop in the bucket” (Isaiah 40:15) or a “good Samaritan” (Luke 10:30-35) are straight from the Word of God.
              With a book like this, it boggles the mind to think that so many avoid reading it- many of God’s own; and according to its own message the bible is something to be studied (2 Tim 2:15), acted upon (James 1:22), and believed (John 20:31). It is certainly not something to simply look good on our shelf. Charles Spurgeon once said, “A bible that is falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn’t.” Now, someone who’s consistently in the Word doesn’t necessitate a strong relationship with Christ (which is why Spurgeon said usually and not always), but someone who is never in the Word can’t have a strong relationship with Christ.
             All this to say we serve an amazing God who has given us an amazing book. A book that will lead, guide, and direct our lives to be more like the One who inspired it.