Text:
‘You know how, when you were a small child, you were taught the holy Scriptures; and it is these that make you wise to accept God’s salvation by trusting in Christ Jesus’ – 2 Timothy 3:15 – The Living Bible
Thought:
BBC News reports that The Folio Society commissioned a YouGov poll to ask 2044 British Adults to rank books from a list of 30 works, according to their significance in today’s world. They made their selection based, not on enjoyment or popularity, but for their influence on humanity. The Bible was named the world’s most influential book!
So it is! Written for humanity by men who were inspired by God’s Holy Spirit.¹ Look around the house and the chances are there’s a bible or bibles lying around somewhere, collecting dust. Like an undiscovered diamond, few know the Bible’s true worth, particularly in the Western world. Many of these bibles were presented to children and teenagers during school. Once read, now forgotten.
Where do we get the true Christmas story from? The Bible and archaeology proves it to be one of the most accurate historical records man has ever had. But it’s much more than that. It contains the words and the way to eternal life.
My first response to being spoken to about Christianity way back in 1973, was to say, “You don’t believe the Bible do you? There are things wrong in it!” The person talking to me responded by asking, “What things?” To which I had no answer, for I was merely quoting a common misconception that I had heard other people say. Having become disarmed from using that objection, I was then open to the invitation to ‘come and see’, and two days later I found myself in a lively church service that ultimately changed my life.
Perhaps like many people, you find reading the Bible quite daunting and even confusing, trying to reconcile a ‘God of war’ in the Old Testament with a ‘God of love’ in the New? Perhaps it was not being able to understand it that made you stop reading when you were younger? We need to remember the Bible is primarily a spiritual book and cannot really be understood by human logic and reasoning. Thankfully Jesus made a promise that He would send the Holy Spirit to help us to understand and to guide us into all the truth of seeing our need for a personal Saviour. A simple prayer for help to understand what you are reading when next you open the Bible, may well provide revelation and rich dividends.
Finally, many don’t like reading the Bible because it challenges the lifestyle they are choosing to live. In today’s society, where anything goes, it’s important to realise that God’s Word does have much to say about that. A simple statement challenges me and I trust it will you too. ‘If I and the Bible disagree, I am wrong!’ After all scripture states, ‘This plan of mine is not what you would work out, neither are my thoughts the same as yours!For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than yours, and my thoughts than yours.’ ² It’s little wonder that left to himself, man will get it wrong.
So why not pick up the Bible and open its pages. If you find it difficult reading and understanding the Old Testament, select the Book of Matthew and start there. Read about Jesus’ life on earth and remember that what He said then, He still says today! What He did then, He can still do today! What He was then, He still is today! ‘Jesus Christ, is the same yesterday, today and for ever.’ ³ Decide that from today you will make the Bible your guide for life and that through reading it, you will come to know Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour.
¹ – 2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:20
² – Isaiah 55:8-9
³ – Hebrews 13:8
Recent Comments