What to Do With the Bible
The Bible is the greatest book that has been written. It is inspired of God (2 Timothy 3:16, 17). It reveals to us the mind of God (1 Corinthians 2:13, Ephesians 3:3-8, 5:17). Since this book is so important what should we do with it?
First, we ought to READ the Bible. Paul told Timothy to give “attendance unto reading…” (1 Timothy 4:13). We are told that reading the word of God brings a blessing (Revelation 1:3). Many are ignorant of the scriptures because they “never read” (Matthew 21:42). Don’t just own a Bible. You need to be a Bible reader!
Next, we should RECEIVE the scriptures. It is to be received so that we might be saved. “..receive with meekness the engrafted word that is able to save your soul” (James 1:21). It is to be received with gladness. “Then they that gladly received the word were baptized…” (Acts 2:41). It is to be received with readiness of mind. The Bereans were “more noble” (Acts 17:11) because of this attitude.
The word of God is to be RESPECTED. This book is like none other. The Thessalonians “received” it not as the word of men, but as the word of God (1 Thessalonians 2:13). That means that is must be respected. It has a divine origin. Man did not invent the scriptures. This word is given by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:13; Ephesians 6:17). God’s word is
completely different than anything we have authored (Isaiah 55:8-11). If the Bible says it, then out of respect that ought to settle it.
The Bible gives us a reason to REJOICE, if it is obeyed. After the eunuch was baptized, he went on his way rejoicing (Acts 8:39). Because of a faithful life one can hear the words, “enter into the joy of thy Lord” (Matthew 25:23). Obedience is essential when it comes to the Bible. God has not given us a book that we can pick and choose what we want to obey. One cannot be pleasing to God without doing what He says (Matthew 7:21-27).
One should have the proper RESPONSE to the Bible. The “men of Athens” (Acts 17:22) responded to preaching about the resurrection in three different ways. The first response was to mock what was said (Acts 17:32). Do we mock or ridicule the scriptures? The second response wanted to hear more. At least they desired to continue to learn more. Is this our attitude?
The final response was to believe. We must come to believe, completely trust, the scriptures (2 Timothy 1:12). What response do we have toward the truth? Will we mock, hear more or believe it?
The Bible is a word of RECONCILIATION.
“And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation. To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hat committed unto us the word of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:18-19). Outside of Christ we are described as ungodly, sinners and enemies (Romans 5:6-10). We need to be reconciled to God. This can only come through knowing and obeying the word of God.
The word of God is to be RETAUGHT. “And the things that thou has heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2). The word of God is to be “hid in our hearts” to keep us from sin. It is not to be hid from others. We are to be ready to answer (1 Peter 3:15) others. Will we allow God’s word to die with us? Will we take the responsibility to pass on the faith to our children and our world?
Terry Claunch