From start to finish, Scripture claims to be the Word of God. We see this in a number of places. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 tells us that all Scripture is “breathed out by God” and works in the life of the believer to make him “competent, equipped for every good work.” 2 Peter 1:20-21 tells us that Scripture is not the product of human opinion but the men who wrote it were “carried along by the Holy Spirit.”
Furthermore, this is the testimony of the Biblical authors themselves. When we read the creation account in Genesis, we read one phrase over and over and over–”God said.” The writer (Moses) is not reporting to us his theorys about creation–he is reporting what God has said–the Word of the LORD. This same idea is repeated again and again throughout the rest of the Bible–what the Apostles and prophets report to us is what the Lord has said. Over and over again we read the phrase “Thus says the LORD” because the Bible is not a collection of stories but a report of what God has graciously given us through the hands of his servants who wrote exactly what He intended.
This is why Paul could say, “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed,” (Gal. 1:8) because Paul knew that what he had delivered to the Galatians was not mere opinion but the infallible, eternal, unchanging Word of God.
So if this is true, that the Bible is God’s Word, then what do we do with it?
You have two options. Either accept it as the Word of God and give your life to studying it, knowing it, and applying it diligently to every aspect of your life or reject as God’s Word and face the consequences.
Most people, even many who profess faith in Christ, want to pick a third option that really isn’t an option at all. Most people want to regard the Bible warmly but spend little time or effort studying it, knowing it, and applying it. This can be seen in the lives of many in the church who treat the Bible as a burden–something that takes away from their TV time. Or perhaps another wearisome duty on your “Christian” to-do list.
Consider the Words of the prophet Jeremiah:
Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O LORD, God of hosts. -Jeremiah 15:16
Indifference is not an option in response to God’s Word. If you treat the Bible as a burden you don’t rejoice in it, you don’t love God’s Word. God’s Word lays forth for us who God is, therefore if you are indifferent toward God’s Word, you are indifferent toward God.
Consider John’s revelation from God concerning the Church at Laodicea:
“‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. -Revelation 3:15-16
To be indifferent toward the Bible, God’s Word, is to hate it. To hate God’s Word is consummate with hating God himself. This is a terrifying place to be–not because I have said so but because of what God promises in Revelation concerning those who are lukewarm or “indifferent.” He will spit you out of His mouth! But it is not to late. If this is you, cry out to God for mercy and do it now! Repent, turn from sin and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved!
Maybe you love God’s Word but you know that your love for it needs to be kindled, you know it needs to grow. Because we are talking about the perfect, inspired Word of God, your relationship to this Word must change. It must grow. God’s Word must become more and more of a delight. What are you doing to treasure God’s Word more. Maybe you don’t understand much of it–perhaps you need to seek out an older brother or sister in the Lord and ask for help. There is nothing wrong with needing help, what is not an option is indifference. God promises terrible things to those who do nothing.
Pour into God’s Word, ask a brother or sister for some accountability in doing so because the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak (Mat. 26:41). Satan and your flesh are working feverishly to keep you out of God’s Word. Every child of God needs help, we need help from each other and we need help from the Lord to make us like Jeremiah who delights in God’s Word. We need the Word of God like a newborn baby needs milk (1 Peter 2:2). The Word of God is not a helpful additive in the life of a believer, it is THE vital nutrient without which we will die.
If all this is true of God’s Word, the scariest thing you can do in response to this blog post is . . . nothing.
Amen Drew. This is a fitting post for the whole Christian life.
Kevin
Drew, I myself Love the Bible and all of it’s teachings. However, I do not read it enough and know this. If “most” people as you say select this third option because of various reasons (life, family…not evil things), can this not rather be a sin that God can forgive? Now I agree if one never comes to know God by the end of their life, they will have a hard time doing the convincing during the judgement. In the end I guess the motivation for believers to get into their Bible more shouldn’t be fear of falling into this “third option” but as you say, a willingness to know God better and grow in a healthy relationship with him.