In this day and age, it might sound silly to ask this question, but at the risk of sounding like a total moron, I’m going to go ahead and ask it anyways.
What exactly do Christians use their bibles for?
Now, I don’t present this question because I’m legitimately confused as to the purpose of the Bible in a Christian’s life, I present the question because I believe people now-a-days are legitimately confused as to the purpose of the Bible in our culture.
Let me start off by saying that the Bible is not some ancient text that is completely irrelevant to a young persons life in today’s society (a thought all youth have had), it is not a cool huge book that takes up a lot of space on a bookshelf, it is not something you place on your coffee table because it will make people feel more comfortable in your home, and it is certainly not something that should be carried around in order to convince people that you are something you are not. The bible is the “sword of the spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17). The bible is not something that should just be tossed around aimlessly, and carried with no purpose. It should be where we turn in order to grow in relationship with our God, and where we go when we want to know how to deal with problems that life throws at us.
There was a t-shirt my sister had when she was younger that stated the phrase, “Life’s Instruction Manual” and underneath that phrase was a picture of the bible. This t-shirt has always stuck with me because I was one of the people that fell into the lie that bible isn’t for me, the bible is irrelevant, and all that matters is what I perceive to be true in life. A thought that is directly contradicted in Hebrews 4:12, which states, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” The point this verse hints at is that the word of God is not dead, the Word of God is just as alive now as it always has been. It never goes out of style, it never falls behind the times; it is always relevant, always useful, and always necessary in the walk of any Christian. The bible not only guides us in our faith, but it also discerns where our the treasures of our hearts are truly placed, and what we are placing above God’s love and grace in our lives.
So those who go around saying that the Bible isn’t necessary in my life, and I’m “spirit fed,” and just live their lives based on whims that they feel are God speaking to them are not living according to the Spirit they claim is feeding them. You cannot have any clue to what God is actually telling you without reading and studying his Word. God teaches his followers through His word, and the only way to find His word is rooted in the scriptures. Without the Word of God, you are suppressing the truth, and thus limiting God in your own life.
“But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All scripture is breathed out by God, and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.” Paul spells out the principle purpose of the Bible in every person’s life: that we may study the scripture, which is the living word of God, and in that knowledge attained through studying allow ourselves to molded by God, and equipped for all things in life.
The Bible wasn’t given to us as a cool accessory, a nice addition to our library, or a way to somehow enhance other people’s views of ourselves. It was given to us for the sole purpose that we may study it, set our standards by it, and accept nothing less than a life lived according to it. IT IS 100% GOD’S WORD, do not treat it any differently, and do not disrespect it in anyway. Most importantly, use it as a weapon to fight the hardships in life, and to study the One who created you for a specific purpose in this world. It's called a sword for a reason. Make War! Fight Hard! Hold on tight to the Rock!
God loves you, and gave you His word for a reason.
How will you treat your Bible?
God bless,
Trip Starkey
love the wisdom tstark.. keep leading well in that dark academic land you are apart of.
ReplyDeleteI have now made "My Role in the World Revolution" a "favorite" on my computer. I will enjoy reading your ponderings.
ReplyDeleteIf I may add one point: The writings in the Bible do not change, and yet my understanding of verses and passages changes with each season of my life.
This year I started a Bible reading program to read the Bible in 12 months. It has been a remarkable blessing. Stories that I "knew" now have new meaning to me because of my age and my experiences.
It is truly "life's little instruction book" for every part of your life. Only a sovereign omnipotent loving God whose goal is to save humanity and not to enslave humanity, could do that.