The Bible, God’s written Word, and revelation to mankind, is a collection of writings from kings, priests, prophets, apostles, and others who were anointed by God to inscribe His message. It is comprised of 66 books, 39 in the Old Testament, and 27 in the New Testament.
Although centuries divide many of the writers, spanning nearly 1500 years, the theme and central message remains the same throughout its pages. From Genesis to Revelation we see the thread of God’s redemptive and eternal plan for reconciliation with His people.
No other book in history has impacted the world like the Bible. Nor does any other book make the claims of scripture. Likewise, no other book has a proven track record of fulfilled prophecies like the Bible.
When Jesus walked the shores of Galilee, He often alluded to Old Testament prophecies and scriptures as the absolute authority for His mission on earth. He would often quote the writings of Moses, David,
or one of the other prophets as proof of who He was and His eternal mission. Even while being tempted by the devil in the wilderness, Jesus quoted the scripture as the Word of God (Matthew 4:1-11).
The early apostles admonished new believers to desire the sincere milk of the Word so they might grow spiritually.
Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby.... 1 Peter 2:1-2
When the apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, the first Bishop or overseer of the church at Ephesus, he stated:
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Before his execution, the apostle Peter expressed this same respect and reverence for the inerrancy and authority of scripture.
And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 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 1:19-21
No other book or writings have impacted the world like the Bible. No other book has sold as many copies as the Bible, an estimated 5 Billion copies, and no other book has been the number one selling book for so many generations.
Speaking of the Bible, someone once said: “The Bible will keep you from sin, and sin will keep you from the Bible.” Is that your experience? Do you find your heart drifting away from God the more you abstain from reading and meditating on His Word? Does it become easier to put other things first in your life besides your relationship with Him? Do you find idols taking His rightful place in your heart?
There has never been a book in history equally contested as the Bible. Why? Because our enemy, the devil, does not want the world to know the truth about God, eternal life, and the consequences of sin.
His mission and aim is to destroy people through ignorance and deceitful schemes. Jesus said, we could know the truth and the truth would make us free (John 8). The devil therefore fights to keep you and me from knowing and living in the truth.
Jesus relayed a parable concerning the Word that demonstrates how the enemy wants to steal it (the truth of Christ being in our lives) from our hearts before it takes root and transforms our minds to Kingdom of heaven realities and fruitfulness.
2) Then He taught them many things by parables, and said to them in His teaching:
3) "Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow. 4) And it happened, as he sowed, that some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds of the air came and devoured it.
5) Some fell on stony ground, where it did not have much earth; and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of earth. 6) But when the sun was up it was scorched, and because it had no root it withered away.
7) And some seed fell among thorns; and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no crop.
8) But other seed fell on good ground and yielded a crop that sprang up, increased and produced: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred."
9) And He said to them, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"
10) But when He was alone, those around Him with the twelve asked Him about the parable.
11) And He said to them, "To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things come in parables, 12) so that 'SEEING THEY MAY SEE AND NOT PERCEIVE, AND HEARING THEY MAY HEAR AND NOT UNDERSTAND; LEST THEY SHOULD TURN, AND THEIR SINS BE FORGIVEN THEM. "
13) And He said to them, "Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables?
14) The sower sows the word. 15) And these are the ones by
the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan
comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts.
16) These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; 17) and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word's sake, immediately they stumble.
18) Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, 19) and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.
20) But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred."
Are you allowing the devil to steal God’s Word from your heart? Are you cultivating it (through intimate relationship with the Living Word) and protecting it from the weeds of this world that would choke its fruitfulness from your life? Or are you purposed to allow the (logos and rhema) Word to grow in your heart so your life comes to full maturity and fruitfulness? Christ is the Living Word. He is the True Vine. Our lives are to bear fruit because of our vital relationship with Him.
If the latter is your answer, you must discipline yourself to read and meditate in God’s Word, (both the scripture and rhema). It is the Father’s provision for us to know His ways, and His will.
Other writings about the Word of God may be inspirational and good, but none can compare to God’s Word nor our daily relationship with the Living Word of God, Jesus Christ.
Though hard to believe, most of the prestigious colleges in the US were established as institutions of the Christian faith and celebrated the spreading of God’s Word and world evangelism. What a difference we’re seeing in many of these same campuses today!
Decide to spend time daily in the scripture, and fellowship with the Father and the Living Word. Prayerfully seek the Father to receive new insights, wisdom, understanding, and revelation through reading and meditating on His truths. It will transform your life as you put these truths into practice.
We’ll continue our study next time. Until then, may God our Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, richly bless and keep you.
James Brown
CST 05/19/2024
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