The Bible is God’s wonderful gift to us His children. Have you ever thought what life would be like as a Christian without the Bible? There are many things people cannot do without in life, but for a Christian, the one thing we cannot do without is the Bible.
If you belong to the Reformed persuasion as I do, you will know that the Bible is God’s Word, inspired, inerrant and authoritative. I love how two men described the Bible … Philip Brooks said: “The Bible is like a telescope. If a man looks through his telescope he sees worlds beyond; but if he looks at his telescope, he does not see anything but that. The Bible is a thing to be looked through to see that which is beyond; but most people only look at it and so they see only the dead letter.” And Timothy Dwight said: “The Bible is a window in this prison-world, through which we may look into eternity.” With these two thoughts in mind, I would like you to see what the Bible says about itself in today and tomorrow’s Daily Note.
The Bible Says it is Precious
Ps 19:10 They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.
The Psalmist uses different words to explain “God’s Words”. He speaks of the Law, the Statutes, The Commands and The Ordinances (v7-9). Then in verse 7 he says they are more precious than gold. I am certain if you have a genuine gold ring, earing, necklace or bracelet you would look after it and value it because gold is an expensive commodity. That’s God’s Word and the Psalmist might even have thought that God’s Word is more precious than all the gold in the world! Honey was and might still be a delicacy. As you are aware, although a taste of its own … honey is sweet and the Psalmist sees the Word of God as sweet … spiritually tasty and filling. It is precious!
The Bible Says it is Perfect
Ps 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.
The Law of the Lord here refers to the complete body of doctrine from Genesis to Revelation and the fact that this body of doctrine is “perfect” means that as it contains the whole mind and will of God for faith and practice … it is totally sufficient. To think one could add to this body of doctrine simply means to say God’s Word is inadequate or incomplete or insufficient to do what it says it can do and does. It perfectly covers everything man needs to know about for salvation, for living life on earth and for preparing oneself for heaven.
The Bible Says it is Powerful
Just look at how powerful God’s Word is:
Heb 4:12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
In the flesh it is difficult to comprehend the “might” of the Word of God. It being “living and active” implies it never sleeps or rests or takes a break. More to it … look at its penetrative power. It’s like the skilled surgeon’s scalpel and the wise judge. You see, the Word of God is like a mirror. Just think about the unseen power of a mirror … it is able to reveal the splitting image it sees. It that sort of way, the Word of God reveals exactly where you are spiritually and emotionally … plus its surgical skills expose precisely every sin, guilt and failure. Then its function as judge gives an expert analysis of the premeditative scheming exercised towards sin. All is revealed through the power of the Word.
The Bible Says it is Profitable
In the face or what money, possessions and image might achieve for one who is in the world, Jesus gives penetrating counsel:
Mk 8:34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36 What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? 37 Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? 38 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”
The way to lose the soul (land up in hell) is to be ashamed of Jesus and His Words. Because God is Triune, all Jesus’ Words are the Word of God … don’t listen to it, don’t follow it and don’t obey it has serious and tragic consequences. You lose your soul! Now look at this Scripture and compare the Word of God to “gaining the whole world … and losing the soil”.
2 Tim 3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
You see, the soul is groomed for service (v17) and at that for heaven when it allows the Word to teach it God’s Truth; through the teaching rebuke sin and waywardness in your life; through the teaching correct the error of your ways and through the teaching train you in God’s Gospel way of righteousness for His glory and pleasure.
Dear Lord God Almighty, thank You for giving to us Your people Your Word. Grant us a greater love and passion for Your Word. Instill within us the desire to use Your Word in an applicatory way each day for Jesus’ sake. Amen.