God’s Word, the Bible, has been noted as the best-selling book ever. In 1995, the Guinness World Records registered it as the best-selling book of all time, with an estimated 5 billion copies sold and distributed. That was 29 years ago. It is common to find the Bible in hotel rooms, hospitals, and even schools. Yet, I find it is the most unread and misunderstood book by those who own it. As a Christian, it is my guide to life. It is my love letter from the one who created me. I find answers for every situation in life, either in direct command or biblical principles.
God’s word is my source wherever I need direction. In Psalm 119:105, His word is “a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” His word shows me the direction I need to take in my life to be at the center of His will.
It is the foundation for my faith and the source to increase my faith. In Romans 10:17, we learn that “faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of God.” God’s word teaches us about Him and His plan for the salvation of our souls. It is also the hearing and understanding of that word that increases our faith to push forward and serve when we do not understand what is going on. Faith is grounded in what He has revealed to us in the Bible. His desires for our lives and His plans are made known to us in His word.
In Hebrews 4:12-13 we are taught that God’s word is powerful. It pierces through our thoughts, intentions, desires, temptations, and motives. It lays us naked before God. Its power awakens the conscience and allows us to see what God sees in our hearts. The truth in His word penetrates the heart and reveals the truth of who He is and who we are.
Hebrews 4:12-13 “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.”
Jesus told us in Matthew 4:4, “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeded out of the mouth of God.” It was written for us! II Timothy 3:16-17 teaches us that every word is profitable for us. It will convince and convert us and give us all that we need to grow to be like Jesus. God’s goal for us after we are saved is to be like Jesus. We call it sanctification. It is a process that will start at our salvation and end when we die. God’s word is our road map to get there!
II Timothy 3:16-17 “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 perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”
God’s word will not pass away. It has stood the test of time and is just as powerful now as it was the day God gave it. He has not changed, and His word has not changed. This is proclaimed in Matthew, Isaiah, and II Peter.
Matthew 24:35 “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.”
Isaiah 40:8 “The word of our God shall stand forever.”
II Peter 1:25 “But the word of the Lord endureth forever.”
God has given us His word and commands us to know it so that we can apply it correctly to our lives. In II Timothy 2:15, we are commanded to study His word so that we will know how to apply it to our daily lives.
II Timothy 2:15 “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
God’s word was given to men to write under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. We are to read, study, memorize, and apply it daily. It will bring us as close to God as we want to be. Job, after severe testing and trials, said in Job 23:12, “Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.” He could not survive without it, and neither could we. Satan will try to deceive you by making you think you don’t have time to read, you already know enough, or that since you are saved and on your way to Heaven, it is not necessary. All of these excuses to not follow the command to know the Bible are sinful thoughts before a God who gave everything so that you could know Him. We all choose the things we do and the things we neglect. One day we will stand before God, and our excuses will not be accepted. It is time to obey God and stop making excuses for our ignorance of the word.
