The Word of Truth[1]
The Bible
Thousands of years ago an Old
Testament prophet named Hosea, saw that his country, Israel, enjoyed some sense
of political peace and material prosperity, but it was becoming more and more
morally corrupt and spiritually bankrupt. The country was sliding rapidly
towards decline and destruction. Problems were arising that seemingly had no
answers.
Hosea was burdened by all of this and
he received a message from God who said, “My people are destroyed for lack of
knowledge.”[2]
This message is as relevant today as it was in the 7th century
B.C.—“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.”
In the areas of science and technology
more is known today than at any other time in human history. And though the
world has changed in so many ways the human heart has not. And the kind of
knowledge that brings meaning and purpose and hope to life is missing for so
many people. This is a knowledge concerning the truth about God, His will for
our lives and the hope for a more than abundant life that He offers in Jesus
Christ.[3]
An accurate knowledge of the truth
matters. The Scripture says that God desires for all people “to be saved and to
come to the knowledge of the truth.”[4]
The truth matters. It affects not only what we believe, but how we think, feel
and live. This is why Jesus Christ declared that when you know the truth, “the
truth shall make you free.”[5]
Yet, people often ask how we can really
know the truth about God. First, almost
instinctively, everyone knows there is a God. In the Old Testament, in
Ecclesiastes 3:11, we are told that God “has put eternity in [our] hearts.” In
other words, when a little child asks where flowers come from and you tell her
that in the beginning God created the world and everything in it, she readily
receives that answer. It resonates in her heart.
Secondly, the New Testament reveals
that ever since the creation of the world God’s “invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that
are made, even His eternal power and
Godhead.”[6]
What this means is that all of creation points to a Supreme Being. So there is
an internal witness that points to God; eternity has been set in our hearts.
And because of this, for many people, there is a longing for that something or Someone
who is more than we can imagine. And there is also the witness of creation. The
universe points to a Creator. The universe, our planet, flowers, animals and
people didn’t just happen.
But no one has actually come to know
the truth about God through nature or the thoughts of their own heart. In fact,
the book of Romans tells us that there are men and women who are unrighteous
and suppress the witness of nature. They exchange the truth for a lie and in
folly say there is no God or replace Him with some kind of idol.[7]
So, how can we really come to know
God? How can we learn about His character and will and come to love Him and
delight in Him? The answer is the Bible; the Word of truth. Writing to his
associate Timothy, the apostle Paul wrote this about the Bible,
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
profitable
for doctrine, for reproof,
for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17
that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly
equipped for every good work.
(2 Timothy 3:16, 17)
The Bible is God’s revelation to us
concerning who He is and what He desires for us and what He requires of us. It
is His written Word and will to us. All of Scripture from Genesis 1:1 to
Revelation 22:21, is inspired of God. The Phrase “inspired by God” from the Greek
text can literally be translated as “God breathed.” Jesus Christ said that “Man
shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth
of God.”[8] In
other words the truth we find in the Bible comes from the heart of God. And we
need this knowledge to be prepared for all of life; to have the joy and peace
we long for. All of Scripture is profitable to us.
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
profitable
for doctrine, for reproof,
for correction, for instruction in righteousness
Scripture is profitable for doctrine,
for teaching the truth, the truth about God, about us and about life. It is
profitable for reproof. It tells us where our beliefs and behaviors are wrong.
It is profitable for correction. It restores us to proper thinking and living.
It provides instruction for good and righteous living.
17 that the
man of God may be complete, thoroughly
equipped for every good
work.
The benefit of knowing the truth about
God and life from the Bible is that it encourages us and enables us to do all
that God calls us to do. Let’s explore five great truths about the Bible. They
are:
· The
necessity of Scripture
· The
sufficiency of Scripture
· The Bible is
a complete revelation
· The Bible is
infallible
· The Word of
God is effective.
The
Necessity of Scripture
All of the truths that are necessary
to know God, to be saved through Christ and to grow and mature in the Christian
life are clearly presented in the Bible.[9] In
fact, without the Bible we could not know these things at all. In the letter to
the Romans we learn how a person is saved from sin and granted everlasting
life. The apostle Paul wrote,
that if you confess with
your mouth the Lord Jesus and
believe in your heart that
God has raised Him from the
dead, you will be saved. 10
For with the heart one believes
unto righteousness, and with
the mouth confession is made
unto salvation. 11
For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes
on Him will not be put to
shame.”
(Romans 10:9-11)
We are saved by a deep conviction that
Jesus Christ was raised up from the dead by God and that Christ is now the Lord
or Master of our lives.[10]
Now, let’s read further in Romans 10.
How then shall they call on
Him in whom they have not
believed? And how shall they
believe in Him of whom
they have not heard? And how
shall they hear without
a preacher? 15 And how shall
they preach unless they
are sent? As it is written:
“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the
“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the
gospel of peace, Who
bring glad tidings of good things!”
…So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the
word of God.
(Romans 10:14, 15, 17)
The verses above declare the necessity
of the Bible.[11]
It is necessary to read the Bible, the Word of God, or have someone tell us
what the Scripture says if we are ever going to have faith in God and Jesus
Christ. Faith comes from hearing the Word of God.[12]
We would never know about Jesus
Christ, his life, his teachings, his sacrifice on the cross to atone for our
sins without the written historical accounts we have in the Bible. And the Word
of God is necessary, not only at the start of our life of faith. It is
necessary for our growth and maturity in the faith. The apostle Peter wrote,
Therefore, laying aside all
malice, all deceit, hypocrisy,
envy, and all evil speaking,
2 as newborn babes, desire
the pure milk of the word,
that you may grow thereby,
3 if indeed you
have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
(1 Peter 2:1-3)
We grow stronger in our faith, our joy
becomes deeper and we are prepared for all of life as we read, understand and
obey the Scriptures. The Bible is not optional in life. The God breathed Word
is necessary if we are going to know the truth and have a life of joyful, hopeful
faith in God.
The
Sufficiency of Scripture
Secondly, the Bible is not only
necessary for salvation and spiritual maturity. It is also totally sufficient
to give us wisdom for all of life.
Grace and peace be
multiplied to you in the knowledge
of God and of Jesus our
Lord, 3 as His divine power has
given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness,
through the knowledge of Him
who called us by glory
and virtue, 4 by
which have been given to us exceedingly
great and precious promises,
that through these you may
be partakers of the divine
nature, having escaped the
corruption that is in the world through lust.
(2 Peter 1:2-4)[13]
All the knowledge we need for a
blessed life comes to us through the knowledge of God and Christ that we gain
from the Bible. The Bible contains a message that one would imagine to be the
most exciting news for someone looking for real answers to life’s questions
such as,
· Why are we
here?
· What is the
purpose of life?
· What happens
when we die?
· Can my life
really change for the better?
The Scriptures reveal a God of
infinite love who wants us to share in His joy.[14]
It tells us how to find peace of mind and strength and encouragement for all of
life.[15]
It proclaims a glorious future for all who love God.[16]
The Bible teaches us how a husband and
wife are to love, honor and serve one another.[17]
It shows us how the family works the best.[18]
It teaches us how employees and employers are to relate to one another.[19]
And it teaches us about justice, honesty and mercy.[20]
The word of God grants us wisdom so that we are not deceived by ungodly ideas
and philosophies.[21]
And it provides us with “precious promises” that when believed produce the
greatest miracle in the world; we become “partakers of the divine nature”—children
of God[22]
The Bible is
a complete revelation
Thirdly, the Word of God, the
Bible, is a complete revelation from God’s heart to our hearts. Moses declared,
Now, O Israel, listen to the
statutes and the judgments
which I teach you to
observe, that you may live, and
go in and possess the land
which the LORD God of your
fathers is giving you. 2
You shall not add to the word
which I command you, nor
take from it, that you may
keep the commandments of the LORD your God
which
I command you.
(Deuteronomy 4:1, 2)
No one needs to add new truth to the
Scriptures. The Bible does not need the newest opinions or philosophies of men.
It does not need the latest findings of psychology added to it. Nor does it
need a revision where we remove supposedly foolish ancient thinking. The writer
of Proverbs states,
Every word of God is pure;
He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.
6 Do not add to His words,
Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.
He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.
6 Do not add to His words,
Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.
(Proverbs 30:5, 6)
Every word of God is pure, refined and
tested. God knows what He wants to say and how He wants to say it. There is no
need for uncertain human speculation to interfere with God’s revealed will. In
the last book of the Bible, Revelation, Jesus Christ said,
For I testify to everyone
who hears the words of the
prophecy of this book: If
anyone adds to these things,
God will add to him the
plagues that are written in this
book; 19 and if
anyone takes away from the words of the
book of this prophecy, God shall
take away his part
from the Book of Life, from
the holy city, and from the
things which are written in
this book.
(Revelation 22:18, 19)
The Bible is a complete, total and
unabridged message from God to us. Its insights, wisdom, commandments and
promises are as true and reliable as they ever were or ever will be.
The Bible is
infallible
Fourthly, the Bible is infallible.
That is, it makes no mistakes in the truths it proclaims. In the verse we are
going to read the apostle Peter describes how Scripture came to be.
knowing
this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any
private interpretation, 21
for prophecy never came by
the will of man, but holy
men of God spoke as they were
moved by the Holy Spirit.
(2 Peter 1:20, 21)
The words “prophecy of Scripture”
refers to all that is predicted and all that is commanded and promised. In
other words, all that we have written in the Bible. None of it is of any
“private interpretation.” And the original Greek word translated
“interpretation” means “origin.”[23]
Peter is not talking about how we interpret Scripture, but how it originated.
The stories, commandments, histories
and promises of the Bible are not the result of human genius. They are not even
the ideas of men approved by God. Though written by men in and for various
situations, the truth of all that we read comes from the authority and heart of
God. Here is what the psalmist said about the reliability and veracity of
Scripture.
The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul;
The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;
8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;
9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold,
Yea, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them Your servant is warned,
And in keeping them there is great reward.
The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;
8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;
9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold,
Yea, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them Your servant is warned,
And in keeping them there is great reward.
(Psalm 19:7-11)
The law of the Lord is perfect. The
teachings we receive from the Bible are without error. And the Word restores or
converts or rejuvenates our lives. God’s testimony or witness about Himself is
sure and our knowledge of His will makes us wise. What a tremendous value
judgment is placed upon the Word of God. Understanding it, believing it and
obeying it is far more important and rewarding than acquiring fine gold! In
essence God says to us through His Word, “Protect yourself, preserve yourself,
empower yourself by taking heed to my Word.” Build your life on truth unchanged
and unchanging.[24]
The Word of
God is effective
Finally, the Word of God is effective.
It works. In Isaiah, God said,
For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD.
9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.
10 “For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven,
And do not return there,
But water the earth,
And make it bring forth and bud,
That it may give seed to the sower
And bread to the eater,
11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD.
9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.
10 “For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven,
And do not return there,
But water the earth,
And make it bring forth and bud,
That it may give seed to the sower
And bread to the eater,
11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
(Isaiah 55:8-11)
God will accomplish all that is
written in Scripture. His Word has power in it. You and I can trust the Bible
for the answers to all of life’s questions. God’s Word will never fail us. We
can trust His promises. Writing to a church he founded in the city of
Thessalonica, Paul wrote,
For this reason we also
thank God without ceasing,
because when you received
the word of God which
you heard from us, you
welcomed it not as the word
of men, but as it is in
truth, the word of God, which also
effectively works in you who
believe.
(1 Thessalonians 2:13)
The work of God’s Word includes saving
us, guiding us, filling our lives with wisdom and joy, warning us of dangers,
and freeing us from deception. The Word of God is the Word of truth.
It is my prayer that the chapters in
this book will enable all who read to become more solidly rooted in the Word of
truth. I pray that as we come to understand the great doctrines of the Bible
that these truths do not just fill our heads with facts but that it puts a fire
in our hearts. Christianity means knowing God, living for God and enjoying Him
forever. Truth matters. May God’s truth help us to live righteously, with
faith, love, hope and joy.
[1] This phrase “the word of truth” is used to describe
the Scriptures five times in the New Testament: 2 Corinthians 6:7, Ephesians
1:13, Colossians 1:15, 2 Timothy 2:15, James 1:18. Jesus Christ prayed to God
his Father, “Your word is truth (John 17:17.”
[2] Hosea 4:6. Scripture taken from the New King James
Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson,
Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
[3]
John 10:10
[4]
1 Timothy 2:4
[5]
John 8:32
[6]
Romans 1:20. See also Psalm 19:1-4.
[7]
Romans 1:18-32; Psalm 14:1
[8]
Matthew 4:4 quoting from Deuteronomy 8:3
[9]
1 Peter 2:1-3; 2 Peter 1:2-4
[10]
John 3:16, 17
[11]
See also Psalm 119:9-11; Proverbs 2:1-9
[12]
Romans 10:17
[13]
Psalm 1; Psalm 19:7-11
[14]
1 John 1:1-4
[15]
Philippians 4:6-9, 13,
[16]
John 3:16;Romans 8:28-30; Colossians
3:4; Revelation 5:8-10; 21:1-4
[17]
Ephesians 5:22-33
[18]
Exodus 20:12, Deuteronomy 6:4-7, Ephesians 6:1-4
[19]
Ephesians 6:5-9
[20]
Isaiah 58, Jeremiah 22, Amos 5, Micah 6:8, Matthew 25:31-45
[21]
Ephesians 4:11-15, James 1:5
[22]
2 Peter 1:4, 1 John 3:1-3
[23]
The Greek word for “private” is idios
meaning “one’s own.” And “interpretation” is epilusis which means loosing to set forth.
[24]
Matthew 7:24-27
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