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March 2023 Devotion
A World Without A Bible
All the forces of evil are allied together against the bible to destroy it. From the pulpit to the political platform, there is a concerted effort to destroy the bible. However, if every copy of the bible were to be destroyed, the copy that is in heaven cannot be destroyed.
John 1:1,2 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God.
Ps. 119:89 For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.
A world without a Bible is a world without God. But, what if their objectives were realized? What if we were without a copy of the word of God? The text in 2 Kings 21 actually describes such a world. A world without a bible. For 75 years Israel had no book as a result of God’s judgment in this text. The worship of God was turned to the worship of devils, and Soloman’s temple was replaced with altars for idols. Because of Manasseh’s evil and Godless reign, God sent a swift and severe response in judgment. So severe that when men would see it, they would say it appeared as a dish that had been wiped, cleaned and turned upside down.
Consider Its Divine Authority
Heb. 4:12 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.
The Bible does not receive its authority from human reasoning or because some hierarchy sanctioned it. Its authority is not derived from our emotions. It is not the Church that gives the Bible authority, but rather the Church receives its authority from the Bible. The Bible is the ultimate authority in all the affairs of men.
Consider Its Consistent Unity
2 Pet. 1:20,21 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.
Consider the fact that the Bible is composed of 66 Books written over a period of about 1,500 years by over 40 authors from all walks of life, with different kinds of personalities, and in all sorts of situations. It was written in three languages on three continents, and it covers hundreds of controversial subjects. Yet, it fits together into one cohesive story with an appropriate beginning, a logical ending, a central character, and a consistent theme. Approximately 40 men were inspired to record the Word of God. They had no email, no faxes, no phones. Imagine trying to pull together a project like this over a 1500-year period. These 40 authors came from multiple cultures and from a variety of occupations: kings, fishermen, tax collectors, shepherds, prophets, poets, and even a physician. Yet not one discovered the writings of another.
So that tells us one thing: The Bible has one author and that author is God himself.
Ro. 3:4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.
The Holy Spirit will not contradict himself by giving a meaning that is different than what he has already said. Therefore, we are not entitled to our own private interpretation of the word of God. What is truth for one is truth for all.
Consider Its infallibility
Is.40:8 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.
The fire has yet to be lit which can destroy it. The weapon has yet to be invented that can overthrow it. The scholarship has yet to be issued that can discredit it. And the plan has yet to be devised that can stop it. All the forces of hell and the wicked upon this earth cannot stand against the power of the word of God.
Mt. 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
In a world without a bible, there would be no:
Somebody may say, “Salvation is but a myth.”
It is written, “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” 1 Tim. 1:15
Someone may say, “My heart is to black with sin.”
It is written, “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Is. 1:18
Someone may say, “I may lose my salvation.”
It is written, “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” Jn. 10:28
Someone may say, “Nobody can forgive me for what I’ve done.”
It is written, “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:”
1 Jn. 2:1
Someone may say, “The grave is all there is left for a dead man.”
It is written, “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” 2 Cor. 5:8
Someone may say, “Jesus has been gone 2000 years; He will not return.”
“It is written, For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:” 1 Thes. 4:16
Ultimately, we can conclude that the Bible itself (the written word) is not our God but the foundation of our faith. Nor do we worship the Bible itself, but we worship the God of the Bible.
Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Rev. J.R. Childers
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