As we continued on our topic of the Authority of the Bible last night, we talked through how the Bible is different from other books. Obviously there are some similarities - as they have pages, chapters and words - but the Bible is unique as far as books are concerned. But why? And why did God use written word to communicate such an important message? Why not wait until DVDs were available or show up Himself and just share it first-hand with mankind?
We sure ask a lot of questions in Surge that we can't really answer.
However, we can read this amazing Book and see what God has to say. The first thing we looked at was John chapter 20, verses 30 and 31. Here we see John explaining that only a portion of what Jesus did is recorded in the Bible. Which poses the question of "why". I mean, we get a glimpse of his birth, revisit for another glimpse at age 12 and then we hear nothing about him until he is roughly 30. And then when he begins his ministry, we only see small windows of his life over the course of 3 1/2 years. Why isn't there more? Why not write down all the miracles? Why not include all of his teachings? Again, all great questions with no real answer. However, John does give us at least a part of the explanation. He tells us in verse 31 that all of what was written down was done so for one primary reason: to act as proof of Jesus being the Messiah so that through faith we can believe and be saved.
This was an important part of the discussion. While Jesus performed miracles, gave us some amazing lessons on living a godly life and lived a sinless life as an example for us, those weren't the reasons that he came to earth as a man. Rather, those things were the proof that he was who he claimed to be. The reason he was sent to earth was to die as a substitute for our sins. So only some of his miraculous deeds needed to be recorded as there is only a need for so much proof. Honestly, how many people does he have to raise from the dead or heal before he proves the fact that he is the Christ? And as John says, the ones that are written down were done as proof so that we would believe and be saved.
So the Bible exists, from "In the beginning" to "Amen", as a means of telling us a story that will, through faith, allow us to believe in something that offers us redemption for our sins by grace. It is most unique in It's purpose. We then moved to Romans 1:16-17. Here we see Paul telling the church in Rome about, not only the joy of the gospel, but that it is universal in nature. The Bible is for all people. Jesus died once for all. The grace part of the equation is taken care of with his death on the cross. But again, we see the lynch-pin of the idea being faith. It is only through our faith, in that grace that exists for all, that allows anyone to be saved. And as Paul says, the Bible's purpose is to show everyone how God makes people right with Himself. And that the process of being right with God is dependant on faith.
Lastly, we read Psalm 19:7-11. Read all of the wonderful things that the Bible does in the NIrV version:
The law of the Lord is perfect.
It gives us new strength.
The laws of the Lord can be trusted.
They make childish people wise.
The rules of the Lord are right.
They give joy to our hearts.
The commands of the Lord shine brightly.
They give light to our minds.
The law that brings respect for the Lord is pure.
It lasts forever.
The directions the Lord gives are true.
All of them are completely right.
They are more priceless than gold.
They have greater value than huge amounts of pure gold.
They are sweeter than honey
that is taken from the honeycomb.
I am warned by them.
When I obey them, I am greatly rewarded.
No other book, Christian or secular, fiction or non-fiction, can do all of that. Some books might hit an item or two, but none do it all. We know the Bible is true. We know it comes directly from God. And we know that it exists to bring people, by grace through faith, to be right with God.
So why a book? Why not just show up as God and demand the worship He deserves. Why not wait until there were photographs or video before sending the Messiah so that there would be undeniable proof? Again, I have no clue. But even if all the proof existed and we could watch it on YouTube or see him face-to-face, would it change much? Experience didn't seem to do much from the complaining Israelites that witnessed the plagues and crossed the Red Sea. Evidence didn't seem to sway the Sadducees and Pharisees who knew the check-list by heart and saw the miracles first-hand. And proof didn't even keep one of the beloved from betraying God's son for the small jingle of silver. Some will reject no matter what they see or hear. And if faith is key to salvation, which the Bible says is true, then God knew exactly what He was doing by giving us this unique Book. Imagine that...
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