2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)
16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Scripture is the only standard by which we should live. Some say that truth is relative. Does that mean that it depends on the situation? So, it is OK for me to kill someone if they cut me off in traffic? Is gravity relative in different places here on earth? How can truth be relative? I need to know right from wrong and truth from lies. What standard should I use as a guideline? Should our government be the source of truth? Actually it should but it isn’t.
Paul tells us that all Scripture is God breathed. That means it is the Word of God recorded by approximately 40 men of diverse backgrounds over 1500 years. Paul’s assertion is that it was dictated or revealed by God to these men making it His Word. I heard it said that Bible stands for Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth. Pilate asked “what is truth?” For me, the Bible is the source of truth. Many say it is just a nice history book. While archeology and science have been able to prove much of the Bible, I take God at His Word. Many, like atheist and author Lee Strobel, set out to disprove the Bible and ended up coming to faith in Christ through their efforts. God loves doubters. Just ask Thomas. They found the information compelling. When I read the New Testament, I realized what all the Old Testament prophecies were about. I came to Christ May 31, 1998 because of my research. Also, I was working with a Christian Youth Group and learned things from them. Paul goes on to list the benefits of Scripture. I like to use it to teach. There is only one perfect person in the Bible and they hung Him on a tree. The rest of us all had flaws but God showed us how He can use those flaws for our good and to bring glory to Himself. Adam was weak, Eve was gullible, Abraham lied, Moses stuttered, Aaron worshipped idols, Jonah was disobedient, David was a murdered and fornicator, Isaiah was afraid, Peter betrayed Jesus, and Lazarus was dead. And these are all heroes of the Bible. If you were going to write a book of fiction, would you include these characters? Probably not.
So what is the good news? The good news is this. The Bible is a story of God’s love, compassion and grace for His people. God loves you and, through these stories, demonstrates how that love plays out. He shows you His grace given to people who are no better than you. If they received His grace, so can you. The Bible tells you that you are fearfully and wonderfully made. It says you are awesome! There are promises in there that still apply to you. Hebrews 4 (NIV) says 4 Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest [heaven] still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. Joel Osteen opens his services with this statement. “This is my Bible. I am what it says I am. I have what it says I have. I can do what it says I can do……….” You have the same Bible. Believe what it says about you and live accordingly. You are a child of God. As heir to the Kingdom, live boldly in love today!
Holy Spirit, help us to live boldly in You today! Remind us who we are in You and guide us as You would have us live. By Your power, help us to love one another as You have loved us. Help us to live in and share Your Truth. In Jesus name we pray! Amen!