The Bible is our textbook,
our life's instruction manual and it is vital to our relationship
with God. God verified the Bible in a manner that could not be
duplicated by mere humans - by miracles. The Bible is the inspired
word of God. There is archaeological evidence and eye-witness
accounts, but the real proof of the Bible's claim to absolute
inspired truth is its supernatural evidence, including prophecy. God
used prophets to speak and write down His Word, and God uses miracles
like fulfilled prophecy to authenticate His messengers. We must
believe and act out our belief that the Bible is a source we can
trust. The Bible is the world's best selling and most widely
distributed book. It's been translated in over 500 languages. There
are about 50 Bibles sold every minute, and it is the most stolen book
in the world. So why are many people refusing to stand up for it's
teachings? There's a plain and simple answer, SIN.
We must not get caught up in the false teachings of this
world. Satan is at work using subtle, crafty deceit to lead us away
from God. Much of this deceit comes from well meaning people: church
members and even clergy who have fallen for sin that is wrapped up in
the pretty package of "being kind." They say in order to be
kind we must accept all types of behaviors and beliefs that the Bible
forbids. 2 Timothy 4:2-4 says, "Preach the word; be prepared
in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with
great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when
people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their
own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers
to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their
ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths."
What their itching ears want to hear... everything is
okay, accept all behaviors and ideas because it is loving and kind,
and it is easier than standing up for the truth of the Gospel. We
must stand up for the Bible, follow God's instructions. Jesus said,
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your
soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest
commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as
yourself." We are to love one another, treat each other with
kindness and respect, but that does NOT mean we have to agree with
them if they are not following the Word of God, the Bible.
Throughout history the
Bible has been ridiculed, burned, refuted, and destroyed, but it
lives on. Billy Graham said, "It is the anvil that has worn out
many hammers. Most books are born, live a few short years, then go
the way of all the earth; they’re forgotten. But not the Bible. The
Bible is preserved. It lives on." We must stand up for the Bible
and it's teachings and not fall for what the world is pushing us to
believe.
1 Corinthians 16:13 "Be
on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong."
We can trust God's word to be true and rely on Him to guide us. Pray
that you will listen to his voice in the Word.
