Read: II Peter 1
“Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” (II Peter 1:20-21)
What makes the Bible any different from all the other religious books that exist throughout the world? And why should you be so singularly devoted to it when there is so much other positive and uplifting literature available to help you to be a better version of you?
The answer is easy: No other book but the Bible has been authored by God himself. The Bible is the only book that is fundamentally and completely divine in its origin and content. It is God’s book. So why would you want to go to any other source for instruction and inspiration when you can go right to the Author of all authors and find out what he has to say?
What Peter is showing us is that these letters, accounts, poems and prophecies that make up the Bible all originated in the mind of God, who chose holy men and breathed his Spirit into them as they recorded his thoughts, desires and plans for mankind. Now keep in mind that these writers were not simply God’s dictation machines. They had their own minds and personalities and styles that God used—that’s why each book is so different. But the source and the inspiration for each book came from the Holy Spirit himself—which is why there is an undeniable and remarkable unity in this diverse collection.
By the way, if you go back a few verses to II Peter 1:16, you will find that Peter says the Divine inspiration of the Scriptures was authenticated by the miraculous life of Jesus Christ—which Peter, himself, witnessed first-hand.
For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
That’s why Peter has such confidence in the authority of the Scripture, and that’s why you can have the same confidence he had.
We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. (II Peter 1:19)
Now does that mean all other literature outside of the Bible is unhelpful? No. There are plenty of sources for encouragement and insight. But keep in mind that all other books, even ones authored by the most godly, brilliant and esteemed people imaginable, still represent a human, and therefore, finite, view of things.
Not so with the Bible. It represents God’s interpretation of things—and he always has the right interpretation. So you would do well to be singularly devoted to it. As A.W. Tozer said,
“The Holy Scriptures tell us what we could never learn any other way: they tell us what we are, who we are, how we got here, why we are here and what we are required to do while we remain here.”
I hope you enjoy God’s Word today!
Lord, your Word is light, truth and life. I will hide it in my heart that I might not sin against you. I will feast on it daily that I might be nourished by it spiritually. I will dedicate myself to it completely that by it I might grow in my knowledge of you. Thank you for your Word—I will cherish it forever.
Please note: I reserve the right to delete comments that are offensive or off-topic.