THE PRECIOUS BIBLE

One of the boldest statements Jesus ever made is that found in John 10:35, "The Scripture cannot be broken." Our steadfast faith in the sacred text is a definite bulwark of Christianity. As the prophet wrote long ago, "So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it" (Isa. 55:11). The great German thinker, Immanuel Kant, said, "The existence of the Bible as a book for the people is the greatest benefit the human race ever experienced. Every attempt to belittle it or to do away with it entirely is a crime against humanity."

God's word is true from the beginning (Psa. 119:160) and will still enthrall us when the earth has been cast aside as an old garment (Matt. 24:25; Heb. 1:12). The psalmist makes this point so powerfully: "For ever, O Jehovah, Thy word is settled in heaven" (Psa. 119:89). Sir Walter Scott said of it: Within this powerful volume lies The mystery of mysteries, Happiest he of human race To whom God has given grace; To read, to fear, to hope, to pray. To lift the latch and learn the way But better had he never been born Who reads to doubt or reads to scorn.

The Bible can transform character, change hearts and point men to heaven. Christ has "the words of eternal life" (Jno. 6:68) and the entrance of God's word gives light (Psa. 119:130). The dynamic results of Scripture in our daily conduct is piercing, pungent and provoking (Heb. 4:12). We will never be the same, once we open our hearts and our minds to the revelation of God's truth! When Paul bade farewell to the elders of the Ephesian church, these were his noble words of departure: "And now I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you the inheritance among all them that are sanctified" (Acts 20:32). The word of the Lord will judge us one day (Jno. 12:48), and it cannot be bound (2 Tim. 2: 9). When we live in harmony with its precepts, our lives are richer, fuller and blessed indeed. As the prophet wrote, "The grass withereth, the flower fadeth; but the word of our God shall stand forever" (Isa. 40:8).

As to the inspiration of the Bible, these passages stand out in clarity and richness: 2 Sam. 23:2; 2 Pet. 1:;21; 1 Cor. 2:13; 1 Thes. 2:13; 2 Tim. 3:16,17; Jer. 1:9; Jno. 16:13; 17:17; 8:31,32. In a compelling summation, these verses tell us that the Holy Spirit inspired some forty men to write sixty-six Bible books that contain the very WORDS (not just the ideas, the notions, advice or concepts) that the Almighty God wanted mankind to clearly know. Holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. It was truly the word of God, not the word of men. Not only so, but these passages reveal that the Bible contains ALL of the will of our Maker. The all-sufficient Scriptures rule out latter-day revelations and latter-day prophets. In a blasphemous excerpt from the Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 29:6, we read that a man is a fool who says we have a Bible and need no more Bible! The foolish one is the one who goes beyond the message of the New Testament.

The Scripture cannot be broken, according to Jno. 10:35. Through the centuries, evil men have tried to destroy the Bible, but still it stands because truth never dies. Earthly leaders have desparately tried to destroy heaven's message through means of persecution, inquisition, torture and by burning volumes of the Bible by thousands of copies, but still the Book of books circles the earth and blesses millions. The great influence of the Bible upon soiety is still seen through the actions of Presidents, Kings and courts of law. At weddings, and funerals and anniversaries, millions turn to it for comfort (Rom. 15:4). It is still a "light unto our path" (Psa. 119:105). The Bible is a joy (Psa. 119:97) as we meditate upon it day and night (Psa. 1:2). So precious is this Book that, during the "Dark Ages," when few copies were available, villages blessed with a rare copy would chain it to the pulpit, so that each family would have access to it.

The indestructable nature of the Bible, by God's providence, speaks of its divine origin and protection. Since "the law of the Lord is perfect" (Psa. 19:7), we should not be ashamed to speak of it before kings (Psa. 119:46). Preaching the oracles of God should be a delight for faithful and loyal soldiers of Christ (1 Pet. 4:11; Eph. 6: 17). Jehovah has been gracious to allow us the honor to boldly tell men His marvelous message.

Someone has well stated that "the Bible is the perfect anatomy of the soul." Since our Creator is its Author (Psa. 33:9), no one knows us better. Jehovah has revealed His will and way to us in understandable tones and terms (1 Cor. 14:33). Not only is the Bible God's revelation to man, it is truly an infallible guide that maintains and sustains us as we travel through this pilgrim land on our way to glory. The psalmist spoke accurately and eloquently in Psa. 119:105 of that rich book: "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And light unto my path." Paul reminded the Ephesian elders that the sacred Scriptures had the ability to provide an eternal inheritance for them (Acts 20:32).

The Bible, in sixty-six powerful and precious books, is a map that guides us safely and effectively through life and then on to mansions above in the presence of the redeemed (Matt. 8:11). All of these beautiful building blocks of spiritual endeavor point us to Christ, who is the heart of Scripture (Rev. 19:10). No other book has heaven's message of redemption and no other message has the guidance necessary for our fruitful sojourn on earth. Because the Bible is its own best witness, WE are on trial, not the BIBLE.

By - Johnny Ramsey in Gospel Minutes, Vol. 50, No. 32, Aug. 10, 2001.

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