“For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” 2 Timothy 3:16
“Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” 2 Peter 1:20-21
What are the Scriptures? They are everything the soul needs, or ever will need, constituting a Book available for every eye to see and every ear to hear. This Book is not the product of human imagination, useful solely for its literary and historical value. This Book is not another weary tome on “religion”, commensurate to the writings of mortals and sullied by the contradictions and translational errors thereof. This Book is not a mystical compilation of “reliable manuscripts” that may or may not accurately represent “the originals”, which perchance may be restored only through the whims of “experts” and “scholars”. This Book is not a subjective text which possibly “contains” the words of God; it is the living words of the living God, the inspired, infallible, incorruptible Holy Writ, bound neither by the caprices of human rational nor the follies of human interpretation.
The Bible, as “the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth” (Romans 1:16), does not require “education” or esoteric divination to be understood, but simply a humble mind and a believing heart. The Word of God is the compass by which the seas of life may be navigated. The Scriptures are the meal by which every man shall live (Matthew 4:4), providing milk for the soul’s nourishment and meat for its fortification. The Word is the standard in light of which all conduct is measured and the spring from whence all wisdom flows. The Book is the sword by which spiritual warfare is waged (Ephesians 6:17), and the shield by which fiery darts of the wicked are quenched. It is admonishment, comfort, consolation, exhortation, edification, encouragement, instruction, love, peace, and truth (John 17:17). The Bible is the simple yet profound, loving yet strict, honest yet gentle revelation of the Creator to the creature, by which every ailment may be remedied, and without which life would have neither meaning nor direction.
Without the Word, we can but declare, as do the heathen, that we must eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die. With the Word, we who have been born again by faith alone in Christ Jesus can aver whether we die today, tomorrow, or far ahead we care not, for we will go to the same heavenly realm and abide with the same Savior Who within us forever dwells.