2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”
The
English Protestant apologist William Chillingworth once said, “The Bible and
the Bible alone is the religion of the Protestants.” The faith of all Christian
people is based on the Scriptures only. The Bible was penned by holy men of
God, meaning that they were set apart by God (2 Peter 1:21). Matthew Henry
wrote, “So that the Scriptures are to be accounted the words of the Holy Ghost,
and all the plainness and simplicity, all the power and all the propriety of
the words and expressions, come from God. Mix faith with what you find in the
Scriptures, and esteem and reverence the Bible as a book written by holy men,
taught by the Holy Ghost.”
The
Bible has been authenticated by prophecies coming to pass and the fact that the
Scriptures have been preserved for many years. The most-read book in world
history is also the most hated book. Over the course of time, mankind has tried
to destroy the Bible's reality and faithful testimony. During the Protestant
Reformation translating the Bible into the common language of England was a
crime punishable by death. Copies of English Bibles were burnt in London and
the preaching of Scripture was censored by the religious elite.
Scripture
addresses every area of spiritual life. The 66 books of the Old and New
Testament are the complete canon of Holy Writ. There is no need for “church
tradition” or so-called extra or new revelations such as the Book of Mormon or
any text that claims to be from God. The Word of God is sufficient for us.
Revelation 22:18-19 warns us, “I testify to everyone who hears the words of the
prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues
which are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the
book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and
from the holy city, which are written in this book.”
The
Holy Bible teaches us what we need to know about God and what God has said
concerning mankind. Scripture also teaches us what God expects from men and
women. By nature, we do not know God nor the things of God. We are by nature
cut off from the full blessings and benefits of God. 1 Corinthians 2:14-15,
says, “But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for
they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are
spiritually appraised. But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he
himself is appraised by no one.” The Bible is the mirror to the soul and the path that
points to the Saviour. The Scriptures are described as a lamp to our feet in
this dark world of sin.
Above
all books, the Bible is inspired by God, unique in beauty, and our only source
of spiritual truth. The Bible is the Christian's joy, comfort, and peace. A
life lived in the light of Scripture is not wasted on vain things of this
passing world, but a life lived to the full. A good life, a noble life, and the
best life. The Bible is worth defending, worth living for, and if necessary,
worth dying for. Be of good cheer, O child of God. Remember that our Lord and
Saviour Christ Jesus came for us to have life, and life more abundant and free.
Let's conclude with this thought from Romans 10:17, “So faith
comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.”
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