In last weeks article there was reference to the book on the shelf. I am sure that everyone understood that the book was the Bible. In many homes and many places we find that the book is a good paperweight, or dust collector. Yet most people do not realize the importance of the book. The book is inspired (II Timothy 3:16-17) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. The book is the word of God. The importance stands far above that of a paperweight.

The Bible is a book that is to remain and not be edited to fit what people want it to say. (Revelation 22:18-19) For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. The Bible is not to be added to, the words are demanded and commanded to stay as God originally put them.

The Bible is a book that needs to be studied (II Timothy 2:15) Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. The book was written so that all present and past would be able to know the path that God wants us to follow (Psalms 119:105) Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

The Bible gives us the knowledge of salvation. There are five steps that are referred to from the scriptures. Those steps are in this order: hear, believe, repent, confess, and be baptized. These steps have been summed as the orderly way to Christ. Since the Bible is the director and authority of all things, the comments on the steps of salvation will now be followed with verses. Hear - (Romans 10:17) So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Believe – (Hebrews 11:6) But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Repent – (Luke 13:3) I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Finally be baptized- (1 Peter 3:20-21) Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: It is very simple, I made a point but I also realize that all scripture must be presented when stating that the Bible says something. I hear many times the misrepresentation of the scriptures by one who would make a statement and say that is what God wants. God tells us what he wants: (II Peter 1:3) According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

The fact is that the Bible is a necessity to know what God wants from us. It is the final revelation to man and contains all that pertains unto life and godliness. The simple truth is that everything that is said or done and said to have the approval of God should be accompanied with book, chapter, and verse. This plea is to dust off that book and learn the lessons that are contained therein. Please use the word of God and let it light up your path and be your visionary assistance of all that is said and done concerning your soul.
 

Copyright 1999 by Brian Yeager may be reproducted for non-commercial purposes at no cost to others.