What sort of book is the Bible? It has been called "the miracle of the ages." An ap­preciation for it is something that too few people in the world have, even among some who claim to be its fol­lowers. The Bible is sufficient to meet man's every need in religion and life in general; nothing else is needed. We now look at four qualities of the Bible.

[1] It is complete. Jesus stressed this to his apostles. First, these men were prom­ised all truth (John 16:13 ). They then re­ceived all truth (1 John 1:1-4), and finally they delivered all truth (Eph. 3:1-5; Jude 3). Further, Paul said that any who brought another doctrine would be con­demned (Gal. 1:6-9). James referred to it a "perfect law;" i.e. one that was completely given, and one that furnishes man "completely" to every good work" (2 Tim. 3: 16 -17). Peter said the word of God contained "all things that pertain to life and godliness" (2 Pet. 1:3).

[2] It is inspired. The word "inspired" means "God breathed;" i.e. it came from the very inner being of God. Being in­spired, it is infallible; there are no mis­takes in it. Note again John 14:26 ; 16:13 . The Spirit of the Father was with the apostles, causing them to know the things of God (Matt. 10:16-20; 1 Cor. 2:9-12). Inspiration is a mark of both the Old and New Testaments. No other book can successfully claim to be inspired of God.

[3] It is authoritative. If inspired, it nec­essarily follows that it is also an authorita­tive book. Being authoritative, man is then subject to it, and it makes demands upon us, and we are subject to it, whether we realize or like it or not. To be pleas­ing before God, man cannot go beyond it (2 John 9-11). The apostles and early disciples recognized the authority of God's words. They wrote the things "of the Lord,” hence what they wrote had heaven's authority behind it. Peter % manded that we speak “as the oracles of God" (1 Pet. 4: 11 ). He said early in his work that "we cannot but speak the things of God" (Acts 4:20).

 

[4] The Bible is practical. In fact, a more practical book has never been written! "How to" books abound in society, and they may or may not be correct or point people in the right direction. But the Bible is a book that governs family, social, national and religious relationships. It sets forth individual responsibility, showing that man must answer for his conduct. And as he conforms his life and actions to the Bible, his life will be fuller and richer. The Bible sets forth moral principles that have never been equalled (Matt. 19:16-19). No man wa ever made worse in this life by living in harmony with the precepts of the Bible.

These are some characteristics of the Bible. Only when men live their lives with a realization that it is a guide from our Creator will those lives be truly happy and prosperous. Nothing else ever written can do what the Bible can do! One more thing - it will also judge us in the last day (John 12:48).  - Bill Moseley

 

 

The lawyer was lying on his bed, all the while frantically thumbing through a Bible. He had never been known to believe in God, so his visiting mend was amazed and asked what he was doing. The near-gone barrister replied, "I'm looking for loopholes." Sounds like good lawyer talk to me!

It occurs to me that such a use of God's word is not limited to such folks. How about those of us who profess to believe it? God wants us to worship him on a regular, consistent ba­sis. But when something else comes up, we start "looking for a loophole." Surely there must be some way to justify what I had rather do! God wants us to give to support his cause, but we rationalize the desire of God away, finding a "loophole" that will justify, in our minds, not doing what God said do!

How about your every day living? We know perfectly well that God expects us to live godly, moral lives. Yet if we want to go somewhere or do something that we know full well is questionable to say the least, we start looking for loopholes. We work harder hunting loopholes than we do obeying what God says, and are always the worse off for it.

But there are no loopholes. God means what he says - and says what he means. When, if . ever, are we going to learn that? Seeing things God's way means we are blind to such things as "loopholes." - Bill Moseley