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How Should We Regard The Bible?

By Larry Rouse

If you were to stand at the door of most churches and ask each member how they viewed the Bible, a large majority who professed to be Christians would claim that it is the complete, inspired word of God. However, if you were to look at the practices and the personal knowledge of these same people, you would see a major disconnect between what they say they believe versus what they really believe.

It is possible to speak well of Jesus Christ, and even to call Him your Lord, while at the same time distancing yourself from His words written in the Bible. What does it really mean to have Jesus as your Lord? “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say? (Luke 6:46)

We live in a time where men are challenging and changing everything. For those of us who have understood that Jesus is the Son of God, our most important focus must be on His written revelation, that book which will never change. You are blessed if you are involved in a daily “renewing of your mind” and by that are able to “prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Rom 12:1).

One of the most challenging aspects of God’s written word is the claim that it is a complete revelation from God. After affirming that the Bible is inspired and complete, Paul finished these claims by proclaiming that through the scriptures the man of God will be “thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim 3:16-17). Do you really believe that? If you do, then you will be blessed and you will walk a different path from the large majority of men that call Jesus “Lord.”

The very nature of God demands that we take this view. Everything that our God has ever done has been perfect for the cause He intends. When God spoke the worlds into existence, and brought life to this globe, He proclaimed it “very good” (Gen 1:31). When God sent Jesus to be our Savior, we find that He is able to “save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him” (Heb 7:25). He is a perfect Savior! The same is true of the Bible, God’s written word. It is perfect. Those who claim otherwise are in effect proclaiming our God a failure, One who is unable to deliver such a book, while claiming that He has.

We must do more than profess this truth! When I look into the “perfect law of liberty” (James 1:25), I must be willing to place everything on the line for my Savior who died for me. All of my teachings and all of my practices must be found within the written revelation of God. “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Col 3:17). “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever”
(1 Peter 4:11). In the final analysis, it is this very stand that glorifies God. Human wisdom, traditions and man’s ever-changing ways must be laid aside for God’s word, a sure anchor of the soul. Are you ready to take such a stand?

Most members today cannot give “book, chapter, and verse” for the things they claim to “believe” and practice. In some churches where I have preached, I would occasionally give the simplest written test on the plan of salvation. Each time I did, I came away from the grading of that test utterly shocked. Some within local churches are like those in the denominational world who proclaim that one day they are going to learn “the things I am expected to believe.” Would you consider yourself among those that attend services but have little Bible knowledge? You can do better. In fact, you must do better (Heb 5:12-14).

Would you begin today in testing the things you have long held as true but have never understood where, or if, these things are taught in the Bible (1 Thess 5:21)? Every man that takes such a stand will develop a faith like Abraham, who, when he followed the leading of God, was willing to take the huge risk of going wherever God led him (Heb 11:8-10).

Have you truly accepted and are standing upon the truth that Jesus is Lord? Remember His words: “He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.” (John 12:48) Are you ready?

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A Request to Our Readers
If you have found this article challenging, I invite you to listen to a recent hour-long Bible class on this subject. It is found on our website  ww.cvillechurch.com. An outline and an audio file are available in a blue box associated with this  article.