The Bible claims to be inspired of God. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God...” (2 Tim. 3:16). Though spoken and written by men, the Scriptures are not from men (Gal. 1:11-12; 2 Pet. 1:20-21; Eph. 3:3-5); they are the Word of God (1 Thess. 2:13) and reveal to men the mind and will of God (1 Cor. 2:10-13).
The Bible claims to be the truth. Jesus prayed to God, “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth” (John 17:17). The Bible is inerrant; its commandments are right (Psa. 119:151); its ways can be trusted (Pro. 3:5); its promises are sure (2 Pet. 3:9), and its histories are accurate. It is authored by a God that cannot lie (Titus 1:2; Heb. 6:18).
The Bible claims to be all-sufficient. The apostles were guided into all truth (John 16:13); the Scriptures can make us “complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:17). The Bible is all we need for “life and godliness” (2 Pet. 1:3). The Word of God always accomplishes its purpose and has been “once for all” delivered (Isa. 55:10-11; Jude 3).
The Bible claims to be authoritative. “The Scripture cannot be broken” (John 10:35). Sin is the transgression of God’s law, and its wages is death (1 John 3:4; Rom. 6:23). We must, therefore, teach and practice only that which is taught in the holy Word of God (1 Pet. 4:11; Deut. 4:2; Rev. 22:18-19; Gal. 6:6-9). We will be judged according to the things taught in Scripture (John 12:48).
The Bible claims the Word of the Lord endures forever. “All flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls away, but the word of the LORD endures forever.” (1 Pet. 1:24-25). Kingdoms rise and fall, man’s power and influence comes and goes, but God’s words will eternally stand (Isa. 40:8). The words of Scripture are “forever...settled in heaven” (Psa. 119:89).
The Bible not only makes these claims but is the only set of documents upon the earth that can stand by these claims. Don’t you think that it’s time that you read, studied, obeyed, and shared the Bible and its powerful message? After all it’s the Bible - our Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth!
- Harold Hancock (adapted by Edd Sterchi); via the weekly bulletin of the Harrisburg church of Christ in Harrisburg, IL. You may visit their website at http://www.harrisburgchurchofchrist.org
No comments:
Post a Comment