GIVE ME THE BIBLE

 GIVE ME THE BIBLE

Marvin L. Weir

        There is no substitute for the Bible. Many people today quickly turn to self-help books in search of the answers to the difficulties of life. Man, however, cannot be counted upon for proper guidance and direction as “...it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps” (Jer. 10:23). Jesus Christ is the only answer to a better tomorrow and a better life. It is the Bible, the Holy Scripture, that give us all the information we need regarding God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, the church, worship and service in the kingdom. Thus, the Bible is indeed all-sufficient regarding our spiritual needs. The apostle Paul so affirms in saying, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Tim. 3:16-17).
        Christians are obligated to “hunger and thirst after righteousness” (Matt. 5:6). Without constantly feeding upon the Word of God, one will become malnourished and spiritually weak. It was the apostle Peter who said, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby” (1 Peter 2:2).
        Why is it that many who profess to be members of the Lord’s church come to Bible study without a Bible? Is it possible they have instant recall of all the Bible contains? Could it be their attitude is the opposite of the noble Bereans who “...received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11? Let us not forget that the Bible is our sole source of spiritual food!
        The Bible is a tremendous blessing to those who believe and obey it. Many people today speak of their faith and desire to testify as to how they attained such faith. But Bible faith, the only faith that matters, comes to everyone in exactly the same way! The apostle Paul taught, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17). Thus, we see that Bible faith (belief) comes from hearing the Word of God!
        Biblical faith will move a person to action. It is as James challenged, “Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works” (James 2:18). It is absolutely impossible for one to show or demonstrate his faith without works! Yet, the majority of the religious world chooses to believe that a person is saved by “faith only” in spite of the Bible forth-rightly declaring, “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only” (James 2:24).
        James continues to show that faith PLUS works equals salvation in stating, “Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God” (James 2:21-23).
        The Bible, God’s Word or truth, is our guide in religious (spiritual) matters. The Psalmist said, “With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments” (Psalm 119:10). Let us contemplate the commands of God and how important they are to our spiritual well-being.
        The Word Of God Reminds Us Not To Sin! “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee” (Psalm 119:11). A person who chooses not to study the Bible will not be familiar with God’s message to mankind. John Gill, in his Exposition of the Old and New Testaments, expounded on the above verse of Scripture as follows:

[Thy word have I hid in mine heart] Not only heard and read it, but received it into his affections; mixed it with faith, laid it up in his mind and memory for future use; preserved it in his heart as a choice treasure, where it might dwell richly, and be of service to him on many occasions; and particularly be of the following use:
[that I might not sin against thee] the word of God is a most powerful antidote against sin, when it has a place in the heart; not only the precepts of it forbid sin, but the promises of it influence and engage to purity of heart and life, and to the perfecting of holiness in the fear of the Lord; and all the doctrines of grace in it effectually teach the saints to deny all sin and worldly lusts, and to live a holy life and conversation; see 2 Cor 7:1; Titus 2:11,12.

        Our Souls Are Made Pure In Our Obedience To The Truth! Peter proclaimed, “Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently” (1 Peter 1:22). Without the precious Word of God, one could never be made free from his sins (John 8:32).
        The Gospel (God’s Word Or Truth) Is The Only Power Unto Salvation! Paul stated, “Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently” (1 Peter 1:22). Thus, it is the Gospel that saves men from sin, and all who are called according to God are called by the glorious Gospel (2 Thess. 2:14).
        Obedience To God’s Word Edifies And Sanctifies The Christian! Paul, to the Ephesian elders admonished, “And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified” (Acts 20:32). A lack of study of the Bible will not build one up in the faith!
        The pressing need of today is for all elders, teachers and preachers to be guided by a “thus saith the Lord.” If such were a reality in the Lord’s church, all modernism, liberalism and denominationalism would be quickly cast aside. There is no substitute for Bible study. May all faithful children of God proclaim, “Give me the Bible, Holy message shining.” Indeed, it is a beacon of light to all who refuse to be overcome by darkness!
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