Monday, February 1, 2021

There is a purpose to the Bible

  There is a purpose to the Bible. Well, actually, more than one purpose. Indeed the Scriptures point us to Christ, but they also do more than one thing. 2 Peter 1:3-4, “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” The Bible pertains to life and godliness. How to live, how to have life, and how to live in this world. What God has promised, and what God forbids and commands of his people. The Second London Baptist Confession says,  “The whole counsel of God concerning all things necessary for his own glory, man’s salvation, faith, and life, is either expressly set down or necessarily contained in the Holy Scripture: unto which nothing at any time is to be added, whether by new revelation of the Spirit, or traditions of men.”

Psalm 119 is a song in the Bible, about the Bible. The Psalmist loves the Word of God and tells us what we ought to think about the Bible, deal with the Bible, and believe about the Bible (119:140). From this one song, you learn the Bible is true (119:151) and you can trust it (119:42) because it is stable and fixed (119:89) and perfect (119:96). Since it is fixed, it will fix you too (119:38). You’ll never be ashamed by believing the Bible (119:31). We learn from the Bible what is right (119:75) and then how to think rightly (119:66). God will teach you how He blesses and the way to happiness (119:1-2). A counselor to guide us (119:24) and it strengthens us when we are weak (119:28) and in this world of trial and tribulation, it gives hope (119:43). It’s sweet to the soul who loves the Lord (119:103).

The Bible is a great treasure, but only if you read it.  B.H. Carroll said,  “In this Book alone I found the origin and destiny of all created things and beings — hear alone the nature of man, and his relations to God, the universe and fellow man, out of which arise all his obligations and aspirations, and in conformity to which lie his usefulness and happiness. This book alone discloses man’s chief good and chief end. I saw it as the only living oracle, replying instantly and freely in simple, unambiguous language to every interrogatory propounded by life’s problems and perplexities.”

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