“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV)
Contrary to what many “Christians” teach today, the Bible IS God breathed, given by divine inspiration. And the Bible is meant to be our standard. The TPT says it this way, “Every Scripture has been inspired by the Holy Spirit, the breath of God. It will empower you…” It truly is THE reliable source and authority to guide our lives. “Because the Bible says so” does really matter. It is not just an old, antiquated book, with out-of-date rules, about an angry God, that is not relevant for our day. The God we worship and follow today is the same God who gave Moses the Ten Commandments, and led the Israelites through the Rea Sea. He is the same, yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). Our God does not change (James 1:17). He is holy (Psalm 99:3), His ways are holy (Psalm 77:13), His name is holy (Psalm 111:9), His Word is holy (Psalm 19:7), and He desires us to be holy (1 Peter 1:16).
Sadly, the problem today is that much of the church has lost this belief in the authority of the word of God! The Bible is meant to be our filter for what we believe about morality, marriage, gender, truth, love, etc. The Word is clear about being pro-life at every level. It is clear about the sanctity of marriage. It is clear that sex outside of marriage is wrong. It is clear about gender… that God created male and female. It is clear that we are to care for the widow, the orphan, the broken and the needy. It is clear that first of all we are to love the Lord our God with all our hearts, minds and strength and to love others as ourselves. It is clear about those who stand with and bless Israel will be blessed. It is clear about the nation who has God as their Lord will be blessed, and those that don’t won’t have His blessing or protection.
His Word does not return void, meaning it has power to accomplish everything He desires it to (Isaiah 55:11). In the beginning the Holy Spirit was hovering over the waters just waiting for God to speak His Word. And when He did, creation happened (Genesis 1:2-3, Psalm 33:6&9). God says He is actively watching over His Word to fulfill it (Jeremiah 1:12). His Word, is a sharp, double-edged sword, able to penetrate, expose and judge even deep hidden things (Hebrews 4:12-13). The Word will transform your mind, heart and life if you allow it to (2 Corinthians 10:5). The Word of God is a sword in our hand to be victorious in life and spiritual battles (Ephesians 6:17). We are born again through the living and enduring Word of God (1 Peter 23). Please put it back into the place of highest authority. It’s not just another book! May the Lord grant you a zealous hunger for it!
This year, let’s take His word to a whole new level. Be intentional and make a commitment to take time every day to read, meditate upon, soak in and pray from the Word of God. Pray for your pastor to be gripped with a hunger for the full Word of God and that pulpits around our city would be filled with anointed preaching that brings life transformation! Pray that there would be awakening to the Word of God across our nation!
