God's Word

Have you ever stopped to simply look at your Bible?  In doing so, you will see much more than what is physically presented to you in a publisher's final presentation of a book.  We know that the Bible is the best selling book of all time, and we know that it has been preserved
throughout history, in spite of the perseverance of some who have sought it's complete elimination.  Mankind's best efforts to silence Scripture has been a complete failure, and it will always be a complete failure. One cannot silence that which is supernatural and eternal in nature.  The Bible is far more than a book.  The Bible is the very heart of Almighty God, commissioned through divine inspiration by the breath of God (2 Timothy 3:16), and preserved through the same power and sovereign authority that authored the sacred words it contains, words by which we must live.

Written over the 1,600 year period from 1,500 BC through 100 AD,  around forty men penned it's pages, as they were directed by God.  The Bible itself is one magnificent book which is  constructed through 66 smaller books.  Infallible in nature, the Bible has proven to be definitively accurate.  The writings of secular historians, such as the Jewish historian, Josephus, and the Roman historian, Tacitus, have proven  biblical New Testament accounts to be true, as the Bible runs parallel to their own accounts of history.  Today, archeological discoveries continue to be made that uphold the accuracy of this ancient book.  Merrill Unger, who compiled a Bible dictionary, wrote, “Old Testament archeology has rediscovered whole nations, resurrected important peoples, and in a most astonishing manner, filled in historical gaps, adding immeasurably to the knowledge of Biblical backgrounds.”

Despite the opinions of some, the Bible contains no contradictions.  Those who make the claims of contradictions within the message of God's Word fortify their arguments with verses that are taken out of context.  When read as a whole, in context, the Bible speaks clearly, accurately, and it speaks without internal contradiction.  The divine inspiration of God's Word is proven by this lack of contradiction in it's message.  The fact that it was written over such a long period of time, by multiple writers, and still communicates a unified message is something that can only be attributed to the greatness of the Author, God Himself.

In Romans 1:16, the Bible is identified as 'the power of God unto salvation,' for it is by God's Word that mankind connects with the message of redemption and is able to take a glimpse into the very heart of our Creator.  His power is reflected through the text.  God's Word may be His greatest manifestation of power.  Our universe, our world, and our very flesh is corruptible, fading with the moments of passing time.  God's Word, however, remains.

Matthew 24:35 speaks clearly to the fact that it will always remain..."Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away."  

Isaiah 40:8 gives the same resounding promise..."The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever."  

It is indestructible, incorruptible and flawless.  It is the power, the message, the direction, and the prophecy of God Almighty, left as hope to generations living in hopelessness.  It is both the legacy and the future.  It speaks of God's love and His wrath.  It is the path of salvation to those who seek righteousness, and it is the standard by which all men will be judged.  When all else falters, God's Word will remain.

For the child of God, this Word is both a comfort and a weapon.  In Jeremiah 23:29, God's Word tells us..."Is not my word like fire, declares the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?"  This verse is referring to false prophets and those who claim to be servants of God.  We can't identify every false teacher and advocate of evil that Satan may place in our path simply by their appearance or demeanor.  We can't memorize the theology of every cult.  What we can do is become so familiar with the truth of God's Word that false doctrine and sin are more easily identified.  Psalm 119:11 states..."I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you."  God's Word, when read frequently, becomes a filter for our sin nature, and when commit God's powerful message to memory, it becomes a weapon against the intervention of Satan in our life.  

God's Word is beneficial, supremely beneficial.  It was written that we might look around us at a sinful world and hold tightly to the promises of God in Christ.  The Christian life is one that requires knowledge, perseverance and faith.  Romans 15:4 states..."For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope."    When coupled with the discernment given by the Holy Spirit of God, Scripture becomes the great teacher and encourager of God's children.  It is within God's Word that we find the resources to carry on in a world that is Godless and seemingly spinning out of control.  Through an understanding of Scripture, we can learn that nothing is out of control...not one thing.  We should take our copy of God's Word and determine to become an attentive student and learner of the truths it contains.  The knowledge that Word will impart into our life is far beyond a determination of cost, as it is priceless...yet, it is free.

I will end this blog post here, because I can't envision a stopping point, and I know that you won't read forever.  However, I reserve the right to continue it soon, because there is more, much more, that can be discussed.  Needless to say, God's Word is worthy of endless description, because it's value is without measure.