Introduction:
Composition: The Bible consists of historical events, parables, stories, poetry, philosophy (proverbs) and personal letters to churches either in response to questions or to tell them the mind of God.
Scope of this post: To look at why the Bible, unlike any other religious document, is so important to humanity. How it was compiled and it’s authenticity will be another subject for discussion.
From Psalm 19:7–11 David expressed his delight in the Word of God and its purpose in his life.
Christians believe The Bible is God’s Word:
2 Tim. 3:15–17 “From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
God-breathed means
- Either spoken directly by God Himself, or
- The Spirit of God guided men to speak or write.
Here are a few other verses from the Bible that speak of its own purpose in our lives:
- Authenticates the Divinity of Christ: John 20:30–31. Tells us Jesus Christ, the Son of God and Messiah (promised in the OT) is the ONLY source of eternal life
- Provides hope for the future: Rom. 15:4 Note the scropture teaches endurance and provide encouragement towards hope for tomorrow.
- Keeps us from SIN, and gives Spiritual guidance: Psalm 119:9,105 “How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word… “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path”
Remember even Jesus depended on the written word (OT), “It is written” Mt 4:4 to overcome temptation to sin against God.
- Serves a a WARNING: 1Cor. 10:11
Read 2 Pet 2:1-10; v9 “if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment. This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the flesh and despise authority.
- Gives knowledge (assurance) of Eternal Life: 1 John 5:13 This leaves no doubt… written that you may KNOW the you HAVE…
- Judges (convicts) and helps us to make the right decisions: Hebrews 4:12
Conclusion: For our own good and to be successful and please God, we need to study the word of God and not allow people to twist it or make us feel it’s irrelevant in our era.
God admonished Joshua 1:7:9 7 “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law…that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Keep this Book of the Law always…meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
