D.M.B. The Bible “Seek ye out of the book of the Lord, and read” – Isaiah 34:16 DO you read the Bible? You should! It is God’s Word and it contains the message of eternal life. Its Author has gone to great lengths to bring it to us. Good men have laboured to give the nations of the world faithful translations in their own languages. The Bible is the most precious thing that we may own in this life. What should we know about it? Here are seven important things. •Inspired• Firstly, the Bible is inspired. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God” (2 Timothy 3:16). This means that although it was written by many different men at many different times yet it is all from the same source, from God Himself. He specially guided the men who wrote the Scriptures: the result is that the Bible is His own voice, the thought of His own mind – every single word. One of the holy men who wrote the Scriptures testified: “The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, and his word was in my tongue” (2 Samuel 23:2). We may certainly call the Bible the Word of God. •Enduring• Secondly, the Bible is enduring. It has been copied and passed on from generation to generation like no other book. Because its message is so vital for mankind the Lord Himself has watched over it with special care. “The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O Lord, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever” (Psalm 12:6,7). While the ideas and philosophies of mere men come and go the Word of God will remain until the end of time. It is a rock which has withstood many storms, an anvil which has worn out many hammers. •Trustworthy• Thirdly, the Bible is trustworthy. Because Scripture is uniquely inspired and preserved by God it is inerrant – there are no errors to be found in it anywhere. “Thy word is truth” (John 17:17). God is truth itself and He cannot lie. His Word is just the same. Whether the Scriptures are speaking of science, astronomy, history, geography or religion, they are wholly reliable. The facts they record are accurate and the morality they teach is pure. Every prophecy of the Bible will be fulfilled in its time. Jesus said: “The scripture cannot be broken” (John 10:35). The Word of God is infallible and so the Psalmist could confidently say: “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105). •Authoritative• Fourthly, the Bible is authoritative. Our world is full of opinions. When men speak their thoughts on matters of faith or morals they begin with the words, “I think” or “I believe.” But whose opinion is correct? Should we trust the ‘expert’? should we listen to the preacher or politician? or should we simply follow the will of the majority? Who has the last word? The best of men are only men at best and they all make mistakes! We need a higher authority. Jesus said: “Blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it” (Luke 11:28). •Necessary• Fifthly, the Bible is necessary. We cannot know God apart from His Word. Our conscience tells us that there is a God. As we study the ‘books’ of creation and providence we learn of His goodness, wisdom and power. But we need another book that will speak to us clearly of the way to find God. We are sinners and we need to be pardoned and cleansed. We need a Saviour to deliver us from hell. The Word of God brings the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God who became man to suffer and die for sinners. We will find Him when we “search the scriptures” (John 5:39). The Bible by God’s grace can make a man “wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:15). •Powerful• Sixthly, the Bible is powerful. It is not like any other book, for it is alive. “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). When we read it or hear the gospel preached the words challenge our sins, reveal our lack of righteousness and warn us of the judgment to come. God uses His Word to bring us to Himself and to heaven. “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul” (Psalm 19:7). As sinners we are corrupt and unable to do good. We cannot please God. We need a new beginning – a new heart. This the Spirit of God can give us. A believer is “born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever” (1 Peter 1:23). Scripture is food for his soul, for “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). By it he grows in grace and likeness to Christ. •Sufficient• Seventhly, the Bible is sufficient. Scripture is profitable “for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:15,16). All that we need to know for salvation, for a sound faith and a holy life, is to be found here. Within its pages we learn of: the family, of marriage and child-rearing; the church, its doctrine, worship and government; the state, its duties and powers. There is teaching on work, leisure, citizenship and everything else. We should not add to nor take away from what God has revealed to us. Study your Bible. Seek the blessing of the Lord upon it as you read. May it be to you the means of finding the Lord Jesus Christ and eternal life in Him.