By Clifton Angel
I am thinking
of word that needs to take priority in our lives, yet nowhere in the English
Scriptures will you find it. It is the
word "Bible." That's right.
Nowhere in the English Scriptures of the Bible will you find the word
"Bible." However, you CAN find the Greek words biblos or biblion in
the original language of the New Testament and in the Greek translation of the
Old Testament. These words are the origin for our English word
"Bible." Interestingly, these
Greek words are not typically used to refer to the Scriptures as a whole, as we
do with the word "Bible" today (and have been for a few centuries
now). The simple definition of its word of origin is book, or books.
Even if you
cannot find the word "Bible" in the English Scriptures of your Bible,
it is a word that still needs priority in our lives. Why? First, it needs priority in our lives
because it is one of the most common words we have to refer to our copy of
God's Word. Second, the word "Bible" needs priority in our lives
because its contents are what teach us so many vital answers to life's
questions. Where do we come from? Who are we? Who is God? What is right? What
is wrong? What is sin? Why do people die? How can we be saved from our
sins? Where do we go when we die? Will I be judged by God? These are only a few
of the vital questions that are answered in the Bible.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all
good works.
— 2 Timothy 3:16–17 —
According as his divine power hath given unto us all
things that pertain
unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him
that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding
great and precious promises: that by
these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption
that is in the world through lust.
— 2 Peter 1:3–4 —
According to
the Bible: Our desire for salvation begins with faith that is produced from hearing the Bible (Romans 10:17; Hebrews
11:6); Our desire for salvation begets repentance—change which begins in the
mind, but is manifested in our lives (2
Corinthians 7:10; Acts 2:38);
Our desire for salvation brings
about a public confession of Jesus as Savior (Romans 10:10; Acts 8:37); Our
desire for salvation becomes reality in the waters of baptism (Mark 16:16). Our
indebtedness for salvation bolsters our faith unto death (1 Corinthians 15:57;
Revelation 2:10). May we all look to the
Bible, obey its teachings, and sing the words written by Priscilla J. Owens:
Give
me the Bible,
star
of gladness gleaming,
To
cheer the wand’rer
lone
and tempest tossed;
No
storm can hide that
radiance
peaceful beaming,
Since
Jesus came to seek and save the lost.
Give
me the Bible,
when
my heart is broken,
When
in and grief have
filled
my soul with fear;
Give
me the precious
words
by Jesus spoken,
Hold
up faith’s lamp to
show
my Savior near.
Give
me the Bible,
holy
message shining;
Thy
light shall guide me
in
the narrow way;
Precept
and promise,
law
and love combining,
Till
night shall vanish
in
eternal day.
No comments:
Post a Comment