Pastor Welton Watson, Central Baptist Church
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged 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.” Hebrews 4:12 I love the Bible, but as much as I love it and read it, I still don’t read it enough. According to statistics, the bestselling book in America is the Bible, and yet, it is the least read book as well. I would probably be right in saying that most homes in America own a Bible, and many, more than one. It has been said that 90% of people don’t read the Bible and the other 10% lie about it. The Bible is the greatest book of literature ever written. It is also the most scientifically correct book on world history, geography, astronomy, and all the other scientific terms that can be named. The Bible claims to be the Word of God handed down by God to man through man: 2 Peter 1:21 “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.”
This is what we call, Inspiration, meaning, that God so impressed His will and His words upon the minds of the writers of the Bible that what they wrote was just as if God took the pen and wrote it himself. 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: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”
The text scripture, Hebrews 4:12 above says that the Word of God is “quick and powerful.” The word quick means spiritually alive, and therefore begets spiritual life in those who accept the truths that are written therein. Again we go to the Scripture to present this truth: 1 Peter 1:23 “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.”
The importance of the Bible cannot be overestimated because of the contributions it has given to humanity. For instance, all of our moral beliefs were instituted by God through the Scriptures. The majority of our constitutional laws were taken from the Bible: laws concerning lying, stealing, murder, fraud adultery, etc, etc, etc. So, without God’s Word, we would have no moral compass to control humanity.
The Word of God establishes our belief system. It is profitable for doctrine; that’s what we believe, for reproof; that’s reprimand, for correction; that’s correcting error, and for instruction in righteousness; that’s imparting knowledge of how to live this life to God’s approval. 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.”
I will continue a word for the word next week.