What does it mean that the Bible is “the Word of God?” Francis Chan said in his book “Multiply“: “That concept should blow our minds. When we talk about the Bible, we’re talking about something the all-powerful, all-knowing transcendent God decided to write to us. What could be more important?”
Think about how you would react if a voice from heaven just bellowed out and spoke to you one day. Would you listen? Would you stop whatever you were doing and just listen? Would you obey? Would you think about whatever that voice commanded you to do or not do as you lived you life? Then, why don’t we see the Bible that way? We treat it like we treat a novel that’s assigned to us to read in class. But why is it important?
Key Verses
Consider these three verses:
2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV): “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
John 17:17: “Sanctify them by the truth. Your Word is truth.”
Romans 10:17: “So then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.”
Francis Chan also said, “If we really believe that the Bible is the Word of God, then it should be much more than a book that we are familiar with. It ought to shape every aspect our existence. It should guide the decisions we make in life.” This is basically what 2 Timothy 3:16-17 is saying, “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.”
All Scripture given by God. Not just the parts we agree with.
Notice, that all Scripture is given by inspiration of God. Not just the parts you like, not just the parts that coincide with your ideologies, but all of it. So, when the Bible says something is a sin, it’s a sin. A lot of churches try to explain away parts of the Bible. There’s a pastor named Andy Stanley said this, “Peter, James, Paul elected to unhitch the Christian faith from their Jewish scriptures, and my friends, we must as well.” He’s talking about the Jewish Scriptures or the Old Testament. There’s a group called the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and they put out a video on social media citing Bible verses they recognized as harmful as they advance sexism and the patriarchy. This is what they said, “The Christian tradition is both a challenge and a resource when it comes to addressing sexism. Biblical texts say things about women and girls that we now recognize as harmful.”
Now, we just read 2 Timothy 3:16-17. Did it say we “unhitch ourselves” from any part of the Bible? Did it say remove the Scriptures that you perceive as promoting sexism and patriarchy, which by the way is an attack on God’s order for the family? No, it said, that all Scripture is inspired by God. Like Jesus said in John 17:17 God’s Word is truth. It doesn’t matter what these groups think. Proverbs 1:7 says, “Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” You want to have wisdom? You want to true knowledge? It begins with a fear of the Lord and understanding who God is. Ephesians 5:3-7 (NLT): “Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. Don’t participate in the things these people do.” Don’t be fooled and don’t participate. But in order to do that, you have to be centered on God’s Word.
Action steps for Christian people
2 Timothy 3:16-17 continues: All scripture is inspired by God in teaching us what is true, but also showing us what is wrong with our lives and teaches us to do what is right. God’s Word will show you what you need to change in order to live the best life possible through Jesus Christ. He may show you a habit that needs to change, where forgiveness is required, or where you need to obedient to Him. Verse 17 tells us that God uses this to equip and prepare His people for every good work in Him. He’s not going to send you out into the battlefield without the weapons you need to fight the spiritual battles that will come after you. He will equip you with whatever you need to accomplish what He’s calling for you to do.
What’s your relationship with God’s Word? Do you see it as necessary for your life? Or is it a habit? Is it something you read because you feel like you need to? What’s your relationship with God? Do you know Him as your Lord and Savior? Have you made that choice to follow Him? If you have, do you spend time with Him daily and invest in that relationship? The Bible says if we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us. If you aren’t investing in that relationship, why not? Don’t you think it’s time? Whatever need you have, whatever is on your heart, come and give it to Jesus. Please reach out at [email protected] and let us know how we can pray for you!
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