Happy with the Bible

The Bible? You mean that book of the Christians, don’t you? The one that they use to condemn each other with – the fuel for their continual bickering, their everlasting “yeas” and “nays” and “I told you so’s”. The book that many people would rather not get too involved with.

Happy with the Bible? Not likely! Can you name one book that has caused more trouble?

It’s true, there’s no denying it. A lot has been written about the Bible, and there have been a lot of arguments about it. One states that the Bible says this, only to have the next jump high and low asserting the opposite. Sort it out, if you can!

It is correct to say that the Bible is the book of the Christians. But this does not mean that the Bible is only for Christians. The Bible is freely available anywhere in this country, even for those who would hardly consider themselves Christians. This is not so in many other countries. There you might seldom or never lay your hands on a Bible. Perhaps they’re available occasionally on the black market – at an exorbitant price. There are places where the Bible is copied by hand by those who want their own copy. Places like the Middle East and China.

Strange, isn’t it? Strange that these people will go to such trouble and expense for a Bible. What is so special about the Bible? These People would give anything for it. They must be very happy with the Bible. Could there be a message here for us?

The Bible is God’s Book. It has a divine message. It is a gift from heaven. God Himself has made sure that the Bible exists in the form we know it today. Certainly, it was written by men, but God inspired these men through the Holy Spirit. He gave them the knowledge they needed to write it. Men such as Jeremiah, Isaiah, Matthew, and Paul. They all wrote, perhaps in differing styles, in different words, but everything they wrote came from God. This ensures that the Bible is true, from cover to cover. This is why we can say that the Bible is above human criticism. For God’s hand was in the writing of all those Bible books. As the Bible itself says: “All scripture is inspired by God” (2 Timothy 3:16).

Why did God find it necessary to put so much down in writing? Could it not have been done with fewer words? Or couldn’t some issues have been dealt with more completely? These are some of the critical questions which have been leveled at the Bible.

It is a matter of faith. God Himself decided what needed to be written down; no more, and no less. This ought to be enough for people – and it is.

God makes Himself known in the Bible. He reveals Who He is. The Almighty God, Creator of heaven and earth. He reveals what He will be for people; their Father, for Christ’s sake: He reveals what He will do for people: calling them “out of darkness into His marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9)

He reveals what the aim of everyone’s life should be: “Love the Lord your God… and love your neighbour as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37–39)

The Bible is a tremendously rich book. Time and again you discover new things; you come to know God better. God has been infinitely good to mankind in giving this book. We should be thankful for it, and we should be very careful with it. We should be happy with the Bible, for it is the only way in which we can come to know God. You can depend upon the Bible. God’s Word is truth: the Bible is true.

And why do people hold such differing views on the Bible?

Some people think that they can fathom God’s purposes with their own human understanding. Those who think this way get lost in the Bible. Because God is God, and not man. He is eternal, incomprehensible, invisible, and inexpressible in human terms. Whoever tries to do this will find that the Bible won’t suffice.

There are others who do want to read the Bible in the right way. But these too are only human. They may be very intelligent by human standards, but in comparison to God they have very limited understanding. And besides, they are sinners, like all of us: inclined, in the depths of their hearts to reject God. This is the cause of a lot of misunderstanding of the Bible.

Is then the Bible trustworthy? Can anyone ever read the Bible correctly? Yes, most certainly.

If you want to read correctly, you must do it in prayer. You must ask God to help you understand what you read. God will then give you a better insight, through the Holy Spirit. Also, you must treat the Bible with respect. Compare one part to the other. The Bible is not a collection of unrelated texts. The Bible cannot contradict itself, although it may appear to do so at first glance. It has come from God, and you will realize that if you study it thoroughly.

In short, you must be happy with the Bible: it is God’s Book! It shows the way to God, through Jesus His Son. This Book gives help for today and perspective for the future. Don’t expect the answers to all your questions. The Bible is not an Encyclopedia. But you will find everything you need. To live in security and to die in confidence.

Do you read the Bible? Do you actually have one? If not, make sure you get one. Don’t put it off! Do it immediately! Only those who know the Bible can really be happy with it; and will always remain happy and thankful.

For the message of salvation through the death of Jesus Christ makes those who believe in Him happy.

This is a happiness towards God. A happiness which will never end.

This tract was originally published by the Free Reformed Church of Albany Australia.