Christians have only one authority, and that is the word of God, the Bible. It is absolutely divine in origin and we must understand just how important God's word is in our lives. Second Timothy 3:16-17 gives us three great insights into the importance of God's word.

First, there is the production of God's word. The Bible is "given by inspiration of God." It is "God breathed." Peter states that Holy men of God spoke as they were "moved by the Holy Ghost" (2 Peter 1:21). The scriptures affirm that they were not merely written by men. The evidences for God's word abundantly prove that it came from one single mind. Has any book ever been produced that shows the harmony and depth of this book? Has any book ever been produced which has been more loved and read? Why has it never been shown to be a fake? Because it comes from the mind of God and it deals with more depth of thought than any mortal man can muster.

Second, there is the profit of God's word. God's word is profitable for doctrine (teaching), reproof (rebuking), correction (guiding), and instruction (training) in righteousness. Every Christian at some point in their lives needs every one of these. The Christian is in need of both positive and negative teaching and warning in order to stay faithful to the cause of Christ. Our salvation depends on our fidelity to the truth. Any neglect of this will produce weakness in God's children and weakness in the church of our Lord.

Third, there is the purpose of God's word. The ultimate end is "that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." The good Lord has designed the scriptures that they would adequately equip and prepare us for all of our needs. That is, it teaches us all that we need to know about "life and godliness" (2 Peter 1:3). There are no "latter-day revelations" which inform us of portions of the scriptures which have been forgotten. The Bible states for itself that it is complete and that it will make all of us complete: "That we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope" (Romans 15:4).

The simple fact is that if the Lord's word is not close to us on a regular basis, we are likely to drift away from it: "Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip" (Hebrews 2:1). Remember the words of the psalmist: "Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord" (Psalm 119:1).

The Gospel Teacher, 3/1/15