The Bible – God’s Word

Stuart L. Brogden 08 Jul 2006

How many here believe the Bible is the Word of God? Recent surveys from Barna and others show a large majority of Americans say they believe the Bible is God’s Word. Yet a large majority of those do not believe that Jesus is the only name for salvation. Sounds ridiculous – but I wonder how different you or I are, if we take a closer look.

First off, which Bible do you consider the Word of God – will any book labeled, “Holy Bible” do? I submit that every English language Bible has error; that only the Autograph – that written by the prophets and apostles in the original language – is without error. There are some Bibles that attempt to be a word-for-word translation of the ancient original language copies we have – KJV, NKJV, NASB. Many “Bibles” are paraphrases – man’s re-write of God’s word – and of these, some are quite good (NIV) and some are a minefield of good and evil (“The Message”). To which do you hold as God’s Truth? I think that some paraphrases are good to have, to provide another human viewpoint – in addition to your own – as you read or study God’s Word. I submit to you that we ought to be reading a word-for-word translation as our primary source for God’s Truth – because it has less error than any paraphrase, most of which are scribal and copy errors rather than editorial re-writes.

That’s a set-up for this.

Consider Paul’s encounter with Christ Jesus on the road to Damascus. When he realized Who has stricken him, Paul wanted to know Who was the Lord and what did the Lord want him to do (Acts 9:5 – 6). When we recognize God, we should make sure we are “listening” to Him and be ready and willing to obey in whatever He says (1 Samuel 15:22 – 23). Our first priority in prayer ought to be for wisdom to understand our God and a humble and contrite spirit that we might obey Him. Far too often, prayers focus on temporal issues such as health, money, and spiritual “success” – important, but not first priority.

(From Our Daily Bread, June 19, 2006) A minister referred to Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem and asked: “What if the donkey on which Jesus was riding had thought all the cheering was for him? What if that small animal had believed that the hosannas and the branches were in his honor?”

The minister then pointed to himself and said: “I’m a donkey. The longer I’m here the more you’ll come to realize that. I am only a Christ-bearer and not the object of praise.”

On Palm Sunday, the donkey was merely a Christ-bearer, bringing the Son of God into the city where He would give His life for the sins of the world. Even the Lord Jesus considered Himself to be only a message bearer, and not the message – “For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.” (John 12:49)

If we could develop a healthy “donkey mentality,” what an asset that would be as we travel the road of life. Instead of wondering what people think of us, our concern would be, “Can they see Christ Jesus, the King?” Rather than seeking credit for service rendered, we would be content to lift up the Lord. That’s the way our Lord would have us view service to Him – for His glory alone, and not our own (Matthew 5:16).

(From Our Daily Bread, June 28, 2006) Among the first words many of us were taught to say are please and thank you. No one gets quite as excited as a parent or grandparent when a toddler first utters those words and makes the connection between asking politely and receiving gratefully.

But I suspect that as we grow older we become more adept at saying please than thank you, especially with our heavenly Father. We focus more on pressing needs than on previous provisions; we petition more than we praise. And while God invites us to come to Him with all our needs, He also urges us to make gratitude a habit.

In Colossians 3:15, Paul instructed every follower of Jesus Christ to “let the peace of God rule in your hearts.” Then three times he reminded us to remain grateful to God: “be thankful” (v.15); sing with gratitude to the Lord (v.16); “do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (v.17).

Dr. Michael Avery, president of God’s Bible School in Cincinnati, Ohio, has said: “Very few things honor and glorify God more than the sweet fragrance of a thankful soul. It expels gloom and ushers in sweet peace and blessed hope. Gratitude encourages graciousness.”

And again to God’s Word, where we see He has provided specific instructions in this regard: “Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16 – 18)

If we are not students of God Word, how can we be obedient? How can we know His will for us?

A man in a Friday morning group I attend disagreed with a point I was making. He said to me, “You’re not perfect, you know.” Yes – this I know all too well. The grace of God is more needful for me than any of you realize! But know this: the confidence I have is not in myself – I stand with Paul when he declared “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.” (Romans 7:18). My confidence resides in the Word of God; I know He is perfect – and my life is hidden in Christ and my boasting is of and in the Word. If I boast of myself, I am a fool.

We should be known as fools by those who are wise in the world’s eye: “For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?

For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” (1 Corinthians 1:17 – 25).

By whom will you be respected – the world or the Creator? If we seek to be approved by God, He tells us how: “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.” (2 Timothy 2:16 – 17)

Read His Words. Study His Words. Seek His wisdom – and walk as obedient children of the most high and holy King of kings. 1 Peter 1:13 – 16: “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”

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