Sometime during this past week, it occurred to me that the Bible is divine; God-breathed and given. Since becoming born again maybe at around 14, I have never doubted that the Bible is God’s word. I knew that, but this week it meant something a little different-more personal and precious to me.
It meant a wonderful privilege to actually know for sure what God desires for my life, and not merely tools to win arguments and have the right theology. I realised this meant I have a manuscript designed to see me succeed, the blueprint for perfect joy and peace in this life and that to come – more than words that sounded good, and encouraged me but the actual indisputable path of life.
I realised that saying the Bible is God’s word means the only posture to take when reading it is one of humility and learning – and allow it to confront any ideas and beliefs contrary to what I see or have experienced. In my mind, I have always known this but this week it hit me deeper in my heart and I feel it broke a wall in my mind. A wall where I saw some of what is said as easier and some as harder; a wall where it is easy to pick and choose which parts of it I can commit to and which I say I cannot because “I am only human.”
Isn’t it wonderful, to know that our maker has not abandoned us and left us alone? That He has placed us in a season where many versions, commentaries and study tools are available at a click? Where he speaks and breaths on His word as we read it to give us daily direction? Where the price for our lives has been paid and we live no more with an overbearing consciousness of guilt but the freedom to serve him?
He is good; full of mercy and this week I realised that so precious is His word to us I cannot afford to have a poor Bible study life – that would be like attempting to go through life without eating a healthy balanced diet. Just as I would be sickly, weak and malnourished, so will I be in life when I do not live it by His words. His word is life, and that is not an exaggeration. It is equipping to one to live a life that maximises out on joy, peace, abundance, blessing and every good thing that flows from His presence.
So I invite you, won’t you join me to enjoy it? To let go of knowing verses solely for argument’s sake but to know Him through His word? To discover our good good Father, who is full of love and mercy? To experience the fullness of life that he has purposed for us, in freedom, holiness and the power of His might.
Selah
