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The Bible – God’s Message to Man Song: Forever O Lord your word is settled in Heaven it is settled forever “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Pre – eminence of the Bible The supply answers to both personal and national problems, more than any other book. “I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.” (Matthew 5:18). “Your word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.” (Psalm 119:89). “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever." (Isaiah 40:8). 24 For, "All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, 25but the word of the Lord stands forever." And this is the word that was preached to you. (1 Peter 1:24-25). Purpose of the Bible The purpose of Bible reading is to invite God to speak to us through it. Debating and disputing about the Bible’s meaning defeats God's purpose. Slowly and orderly read through it. God will reward you with the message he has just for you – your special message that was written before you were born. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). “Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Peter 1:20-21). “But the Counsellor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” (John 14:26). The bible is the ways of God, doom of sinners, way of salvation, and joy of believers. Power of the Bible “I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something that man made up. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.” (Galatians 1:11-12). Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" (Matthew 4:4) Bible is very versatile, always current, and superior over other books, influence on every body and everything. The bible is highly preserved and prophesy fulfilled. The Bible is potent because truth is potent, and the Bible is truth , “ Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth” (John 17:17); “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8:32). It is the sword of the spirit that convicts the unbeliever of his sin and his urgent need of Jesus Christ. The Written Word of God is God-breathed. It is powerful to convert unsaved persons: The Word of God is the agency by which faith is generated. It is written: "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17). It is able to make you wise unto salvation (2 Timothy 3:15). It has great and precious promises that through faith you might be made partaker of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4). The Law of the Lord, that is, the whole Bible, is able to convert you (Psalms 19:7). It is a light for you, to see the true Light that has come into the world, even Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Through it the new birth is accomplished by the Holy Spirit (John 3:5); “He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” (Titus 3:5); “For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.” (1 Peter 1:23). It is powerful to sanctify believers: Christ said so “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.” (John 17:17-19). Every Christian needs the Bible if he is to grow in his salvation, “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,” (1 Peter 2:2). Christ uses it to sanctify and cleanse his church, “to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word,” (Ephesians 5:26), “The law of his God is in his heart; his feet do not slip.” (Psalms 37:31); “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” (Psalms 119:11). No wonder that God desires the Scripture to be preached at all times (2 Timothy 4:2). For it is as a fire, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces (Jeremiah 23:29). Take heed of its message, for believing its contents will transform your life, as many millions of people in the past and up to the present have discovered for themselves. Transforming Power: God's Word transforms the heart. Only those who have experienced its truth are able to confirm such a sweeping statement. In itself this is another concrete evidence of biblical accuracy and of its heavenly origin. Because of what it is, God's Word does not return unto Him void but accomplished the very things for which God has sent it. “As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:10-11) . This promise in Isaiah is compared to the rain that comes down and waters the earth so that it yields its crops. Wherever the Scripture, and particularly the Gospel, penetrates, there are always results, as long as it comes with power and the Holy Spirit. Thus it is no marvel that those who were formerly professed infidels, agnostics, atheists and doubters, when their hearts were prepared (much like the soil is ploughed to receive seed) then they rejoice in the Word and uphold it, whereas formerly they ridiculed and belittled it. The transforming power of the Word is such that Christians, being taught by God, become persuaded that it is the priceless jewel for which one does not find it difficult at all to lose everything for the sake of the kingdom. The natural man (the spiritless) mocks and criticises; the spiritual man considers the Word as his daily food, upon which he feeds. He hangs upon it. He lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. A wicked heart is changed into a loving and obedient heart. What could be the means to effect such a positive change? Could it somehow be error, or truth mixed with error? If the Scripture is profitable (2 Timothy 3:16), then all of it must be truth, for no error is ever profitable. The holiness God works in us through his Word (John 17:17) is all-round transforming; this is a clear manifestation that the Scripture is wholly precise and accurate and truth in all its contents. God bless you Evang. John B. Oseh |