The Bible, if false, is of very little importance, but if true, is of greatest importance.  Those who really recognize the veracity of the Scriptures stake their lives and eternal souls on the claims therein.  Obviously, not everyone believes the Bible, but what about those who claim to believe it is God’s word, yet do not give priority or effort to learning its contents?

The Bible claims to be the Word of God.  Over two thousand times in the Old Testament the Bible asserts that the Lord God is speaking (Ex. 24:4; Deut. 4:2; 2 Sam. 23:2; Jer. 26:2; et. al.).  The New Testament uses the phrase “the word of God” over forty times to speak of its contents.  The Bible claims that it was written by men who were inspired: under guidance of the Holy Spirit (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:20-21).  These men who were guided by the Spirit acknowledged when the Holy Spirit guided the other writers and called their writings scripture (1 Tim. 5:18; 2 Pet. 3:15-16).  Further, the Bible claims that its message is true because its Author, God, cannot lie (Jn. 17:17; Titus 1:2; Heb. 6:18).

God’s word welcomes those who are spiritually thirsty to come and drink of these deep reservoirs of inspiration and be satisfied (Deut. 8:3; Mt. 5:6; Jn. 4:10-14; 6:35; 7:37).  If one will come to God’s word with a sincere heart, humbly desiring God’s will, they will not leave empty-handed (Isa. 55:6-11).

The word of God is able to save our souls if we will make it a part of us (Jas. 1:21).  When we teach it to others, it will save their souls as well (1 Tim. 4:16).  When we are born again by the Word of God, we must continue to return to it for spiritual nourishment (1 Pet. 1:23; 2:2-3). Those who imbibe of the teachings of the Bible find it sweet as honey, accomplishing what God intended (Psa. 19:7-11).

The Bible gives us the proper worldview.  It explains the order we see in the universe around us (Psa. 19:1-4; Rom. 1:20).  Our universe is not a “multiverse” created by several competing gods.  It displays unity and harmony of the one true, good God who has provided for us (Acts 14:15; Mt. 5:45).  Man is the crown of God’s creation, above the animals (Gen. 1:26).  God desires a personal relationship with each human, and places Himself at the right distance away that we can turn from Him or choose to seek Him and find Him (Acts 17:27).  God gives us a choice to serve Him or to be self-serving in this temporal physical world (Deut. 30:18; Josh. 24:15; Heb. 11:24-25).

One day the physical world will come to an end (2 Pet. 3:10-11).  The Bible will judge us on that final day (Jn. 12:48; Rev. 20:12).  Those who have not obeyed the Gospel will be punished with eternal fire, while those who have obeyed will be at rest and glorify the Lord (2 Thess. 1:6-11).  If we acknowledge these things as true, why in the world would we let studying the Bible take a back seat to so many other efforts?

– Mark Day