GOD'S PRECIOUS WORD
Mankind has truly been blessed by God with
the gift of His precious word. Our appreciation for the Scriptures should be
expressed as we daily study God's word. The people of
It matters not how smart a man may become
he is still ignorant if he does not know and obey the word of God. We never
outgrow our need for God and His revelation.
What a mistake people make by not knowing the Scriptures or the power of
God. (Matthew 22:29)
THE BIBLE IS THE WORLD'S GREATEST BOOK:
There are many reasons why this is true. The Bible is not just another book.
The Bible is God's truth. (John 17:17) The Bible is the timeliest and most useful
book ever penned. It tells man how to live on earth and how to go to heaven
when he dies.
There have been many people who have been
opposed to the Bible. The foes of the precious word of God have come and gone
but the Bible still remains the best seller from year to year. Jesus said,
"Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.
(Matthew 24:35)
THE BIBLE IS GIVEN BY INSPIRATION OF GOD.
The very words of the Bible were given by God. We can read and believe the
Bible without having to fear that any part of it is untrue or uninspired.
Peter said, "...holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy
Spirit. (2 Peter 1:21) God empowered holy men to write this book we know as the
Bible.
Paul taught the same truth about the
inspired scriptures. He said, "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 complete, thoroughly
equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17) The apostles and prophets
delivered the message they had received from God. Do not doubt God's word.
Believe and obey His truth.
THE BIBLE IS COMPLETE WITHOUT ADDITION OR
SUBTRACTION. Many add to and take away
from God's word. God warned against such tampering with His truth. Through the
apostle John He said, "For I testify to everyone who hears the words of
the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him
the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the
words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book
of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this
book. (Revelation 22:18-19)
By inspiration of God Paul also gave warnings
against changing God's precious word. "But even if we, or an angel from
heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let
him be accursed..." (Galatians 1:8-9) Dealing with the word of God is a
serious matter because heaven and hell are involved. A false gospel leads to
condemnation instead of salvation!
THE BIBLE IS GOD'S POWERFUL SALVATION
MESSAGE. It has the power to save all who will believe and obey it. Paul said,
"I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to
salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the
Greek." (Romans 1:16) If one is to be made free from sin, he must know the
truth because it is the truth which makes you free. (John 8:32)
Not only will the truth save a soul, but
it will keep him in the pathway of righteousness. This great truth is taught in
the powerful 19th Psalm. The Psalmist said, "The law of the LORD is
perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise
the simple; The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The
commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; The fear of the LORD is
clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous
altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them Your servant is
warned, And in keeping them there is great reward." (Psalm 19:7-11)
THE BIBLE MUST BE OBEYED. "Blessed
are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life,
and may enter through the gates into the city." (Revelation 22:14) The
Bible is a book for all purposes. It provides comfort for one in sorrow;
encouragement for one who is in despair;
it provides strength for one who is weak and gives hope to the one who
is lost. The Bible can meet our every need. God's precious word also has an
answer to all our religious questions.
The scriptures tell us how to live and how
to die. They show us where man came from, his purpose for being here, and where
he is going when he dies. The Bible is man's roadmap from earth to heaven. It
is this same word which will judge us in the last day. (John 12:48) We should
believe the word of God and make it our daily companion. God's precious word
should be obeyed and we should allow it govern our lives.
THE BIBLE TELLS MAN HOW TO BE SAVED.
Salvation comes only to those who believe. If you are to be saved you MUST BELIEVE
in Jesus. Jesus claims to be the Son of God; the only religious authority of
God on earth. (Matthew 28:18) He said, "I am the Way, and the Truth and
the Life, no one comes to the Father but by me." (John 14:6) Without faith
it is impossible to please God. (Hebrews 11:6)
Those who are saved MUST REPENT of all
sins. The scriptures teach that repentance is necessary for all people. (Acts
17:30) Repentance is a change of mind which leads to a change of action. One
who would follow Jesus must get out of the sinning business. It will be clear
to all those who know him, that he is now different. (Matthew 3: 8)
Those who are saved MUST CONFESS the name
of Christ. People, who believe in Jesus and have repented of their sins, will
be asked to confess publicly the name of Christ. (Romans 10:9-10) Then, with
this accomplished, a person is ready to be baptized into Christ.
Those who are saved MUST BE BAPTIZED. In
Bible examples of conversion, the New Testament plainly states that people were
baptized. Paul was told to be baptized and wash away his sins. (Acts 22:16)
This proves that baptism is the action by which Jesus takes away sins. When a
person becomes convinced that Jesus is the Son of God, he must repent of his
sins, confess the name of Jesus, and be baptized immediately. People have only
a short time to live on earth and they should not delay their obedience to
God. (James 4:17).
By Charles Box,