More Significance of Scripture

Three generation Olafs

My current mission is to challenge us to bathe our minds consistently with reading, studying and memorizing the Bible. The benefits are immeasureable. We’re examining what the Bible says of itself.

The Word brings joy and insight for productive living.Psalm 19:8 The commandments of the LORD are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are clear, giving insight for living.

Wanna be really rich? Psalm 119:72 Your instructions are more valuable to me than millions in gold and silver.

The Word purifies and knocks down hard places of our self-centeredness. Jeremiah 23:29 Does not my word burn like fire?” says the LORD. “Is it not like a mighty hammer that smashes a rock to pieces?

Lost hope is a component of many suicides or at best, depression. Encouragement is a result of knowing Scripture. Romans 15:4 Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.

Hear what Jesus Christ says about Scripture. Matthew 22:29 Jesus replied, “Your mistake is that you don’t know the Scriptures, and you don’t know the power of God.

My favorate description of the value of the Bible is 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (Amp) Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God's will in thought, purpose, and action), So that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.

This passage elaborates on the effectiveness, source and ways to gain wisdom to live and die successfully. It is inspired by God (literally God-breathed) making Him fully responsible for His word. Scripture is true, reliable, authoritative, permanent and powerful because it comes from God Himself. The Bible teaches us, rebukes us, corrects us and trains us for righteous living and in our interactions with others. We’re speaking of Bible knowledge not for knowledge sake but for transformation – of self and everything we touch.

My denomination states in article of faith number 4. We believe in the plenary inspiration of the Holy Scriptures, by which we understand the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, given by divine inspiration, inerrantly revealing the will of God concerning us in all things necessary to our salvation, so that whatever is not contained therein is not to be enjoined as an article of faith.
“All things necessary to our salvation” means to some that if the particular passage they are reading doesn’t pertain to our salvation, the validity is up for grabs. It turns out to be a “pick and choose” approach to the Bible. “I like this principle. I don’t like that one.” I wonder if that is part of the reason that my church in North America is dwindleing in numbers. In a sense, slowly dying.

Hebrews 4:12 (Amp) For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the [a]breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart.

This passage describes the power and penetration of God’s word. It is an active, effective force able to penetrate the darkest recesses of our lives, exposing the innermost thoughts and desires. Though we don’t look forward to the pain of the blade, we can anticipate the freedom that comes from the exposure and removal of a “tumor” in our innermost being. A disclosure of an unbiblical, destructive desire or attitude, that when removed brings emotional, mental, and spiritual freedom.

Are you joining me on this mission? More significance of Scripture in tomorrow’s post.