I read my Bible a lot, have done so for many years, yet still
there is plenty in there that I don’t understand.
I have read and re-read some things over and over and I ask GOD
questions. I wait for the Holy Spirit to enlighten me. I read books and
comments written by trusted pastors, theologians and Christian authors.
Sometimes I get good, sound answers and I get it! But just
as often I get nothing and much continues to be a mystery to me.
As my faith grew over the years, I stopped doubting my
ability to comprehend. I stopped trying to figure out which Book was Bible “fiction”
and which was truth. I simply read, meditate, study, pray and wait for
revelation.
I have accepted that I don’t have to understand everything my
Bible says perfectly; that what I must do is believe the Bible absolutely; that
the whole Bible is GOD’s TRUTH and has eternal value.
I know without a doubt
that GOD is pleased by the change in my attitude. He and I are finally on the same page!
Believers who are sincerely seeking GOD’s TRUTH will admit
to finding places in the Bible that raise questions.
Know that we will never understand it all completely.
But what is made know to us must be
enough to keep us steadfast and unshaken in our faith in GOD’s WORD.
What are three facts believers must know about their Bible?
The Bible originated
with GOD
GOD Himself worked through human authors by a process called
“inspiration” to get the Bible written for His purpose:
- “ALL of Scripture is GOD-breathed (or inspired by GOD) and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16.
- “…no prophecy ever came by the will of man; instead, men spoke from God as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” 2 Peter 1:21
We trust GOD; we can trust the Author of the Bible. These
are one and the same!
The Bible reflects
the character of GOD
As GOD is unique in His purity and perfection so is His
WORD:
- Every word of GOD is pure. Proverbs 30:5
- The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in an earthen furnace, purified seven times. Psalm 12:6
- The instruction of the Lord is perfect. Psalm 19:7
GOD is also omniscient – all knowing, all wise, and all
seeing. He is incapable of making mistakes.
The Bible reflects
the mind of GOD
GOD’s thoughts and intentions are beyond our ability to grasp
(Isaiah 55:8-9).
This fact disqualifies us from “correcting” GOD’s WORD. Scripture
warns us that we are to take out nothing or add in anything:
- You must not add anything to what I command you or take anything away from it, so that you may keep the commands of the Lord your God I am giving you. Deuteronomy 4:2
- Don’t add to His words, or He will rebuke you, and you will be proved a liar. Proverbs 30:6
- “For I assure you: Until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or one stroke of a letter will pass from the law until all things are accomplished.” Matthew 5:18
- “…to everyone who hears the prophetic words of this book: If anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book. And if anyone takes away from the words of this prophetic book, God will take away his share of the tree of life and the holy city, written in this book. Revelation 22:18-19
GOD has a divine plan for His perfect WORD and the cost is severe to anyone
who perverts it in any way.
Conclusion
The Bible as our rule book from GOD for the practical living
out of our Christian faith; it represents who GOD is and His will for His people.
Since we are “His people,” believers must view the Bible with the awe and reverence
it deserves:
- Believe that the GOD who created the universe and is perfect in all of His ways is capable of “writing” a Book that is also perfect – including the parts we don’t understand, agree with or like. To judge the Bible by human standards is vanity and pointless.
- Accept by faith that all of GOD’s WORD has a purpose that GOD intends to fulfill in His time (Isaiah 55:11).
- Rest assured that GOD, in His omniscience, knows perfectly the who, what, why, where, and how contained in every syllable of the Bible and He uses all for His glory and to benefit His Kingdom (Matthew 5:18).
Since Scripture commands that we study the WORD (2 Timothy 2:15; Acts 17:11), we never stop doing so, prayerfully and with respect. We
pray even harder and more sincerely about things we don’t understand.
When our Creator chooses not to enlighten us about
something in His WORD, may we humbly bow to His Perfection and move on to the
next verse, chapter, or book, with joy!
Prayer and
Thanksgiving: Holy Father, we praise YOU our faithful GOD and say thank YOU
for your perfect WORD that teaches us how you walk the Christian walk—not as unwise people but as wise, making the
most of the time, because the days are evil. Thank you for giving us new life
in CHRIST and the privilege of sharing in the mystery of YOUR divine plan through
YOUR WORD. Remind us that now we may only know in part but we will one day know fully as we are known. For the
richness of YOUR grace that chose us in CHRIST, we thank and praise YOU! To
YOU, be dominion and power for ever and ever. We pray and ask all things in
JESUS’ name. Amen.
Always by God’s Word and prayer,
Cecile
