"YOU HAVE MY WORD!" Have you ever used or heard that phrase, which is usually spoken as a kind of guarantee. It's value of course would depend upon the character of the person who said it. But what if it was God Himself talking to us and giving us His promise? Well He has, and His character is beyond question.
Many would rather look all around to find God's word for today instead of turning to the Bible. Paul thanked God for the Thessalonians who received the word 'not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God' (1 Thessalonians 2:13). And such was Peter's esteem for the scriptures that he put their importance even above hearing Gods audible voice on the Mount of Transfiguration (2 Peter 1:18-19).
The religious leaders of Jesus day had completely lost their way due to their low esteem of the scriptures. They had twisted the meaning of God's word and added onto it to enable them to do what they wanted. In Mark 7:1-12 Jesus rebukes them for their hypocrisy in teaching the commandments of men and thereby dishonouring God.
Through the Bible we find God's plan of salvation (2 Timothy 3:15). It is the incorruptible seed which gives new birth (1 Peter 1:23). Through the scriptures we receive instruction and correction (2 Timothy 3v16). They give us hope (Romans 15 v4), guidance (Proverbs 3:6), defence against our adversary (Ephesians 6:10 -18), and Jesus even rebuffed Satan with 'it is written.' We also have insight and warnings about future and current events in prophecy in both the Old and New Testaments.
Before leaving home John Wesley's mother gave him a bible in which she wrote 'This book will keep you from sin. Sin will keep you from this book. Read it! Live it!' Â Â Â
Paul Graham
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