“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what
is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It
corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do
what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip
his people to do every good work.”
(II Timothy 3:16)
Thoughts… If you are a born-again, evangelical, church-going Christian—which I hope you are, or will be soon—then you know that our first and most foundational statement of faith is in the inspiration and authority of the Bible. Here how we say it,
We believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only
infallible, authoritative Word of God.
The Bible is God’s perfect guidebook for living. It is the sole basis of our belief. It is uniquely God-inspired, without error, and the final authority on all matters on which it bears. From the Bible flow all of the other cardinal doctrines upon which we base our faith—the one true God, eternally existent as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ, the universal sinfulness of man, the plan of salvation, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, the return of Jesus Christ, the final judgment.
An unknown writer said,
“This Book is the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding; its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable.
Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword, and the Christian’s character.
Here paradise is restored, heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed. Christ is its grand subject, our good its design, and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet.
Read it slowly, frequently, prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. Follow its precepts and it will lead you to Calvary, to the empty tomb, to a resurrected life in Christ; yes, to glory itself, for eternity.”
If the Bible is that important—and I believe it is—then it is certainly appropriate for me to challenge you to read it every day. Don’t miss a day—it is your spiritual manna. Meditate on it! Memorize it! Master it! Minister it by living what it tells you to do, how it tells you to live, and who it calls you to be!
The 19th century theologian Henry Ward Beecher said, “The Bible is God’s chart for you to steer by, to keep you from the bottom of the sea, and to show you where the harbour is, and how to reach it without running on rocks and bars.” I suppose if Beecher were alive today, he would say the Bible is the perfect navigational system, the ultimate GPS!
As a little kid, I was taught it this way:
The B-I-B-L-E, yes that’s the book for me
I stand upon the Word of God
The B-I-B-L-E
Pretty good theology. It works for adults, too!
Prayer… O God, your Word is eternal. It is perfect. It is true. I embrace it as my guidebook for life, and my roadmap to eternal life. I will love it, read it, and live it. I will teach it and do my best to inspire others to do the same. Thank you for your written Word—along with salvation, the greatest gift you have given the world.
One More Thing… “The devil is not afraid of the Bible that has dust on it.”
B(asic) I(nstructions) B(efore) L(eaving) E(arth)