Saturday Scripture Gold with Bibi: Our Guide to Salvation and Comfort

Hello, and welcome to Saturday Scripture Gold. Thank you for taking time out of your busy weekend to drop by!

An old Scotch woman who was alone for the greater part of the day was asked, "What do you do during the day?" "Well," she said, "I get my hymn book, and I have a little hymn of praise to the Lord." Then she added, "I get my Bible and let the Lord speak to me. When I am tired of reading, and I cannot sing anymore, I just sit still and let the Lord love me."

Have YOU ever stopped to think, "Why do we need the Bible?" I often get asked this question. So this week, I would like to attempt an explanation. I'd like to do this, if I may, by focusing our attention both on the Old and New Testaments; and using the Bible as the guide to salvation and comfort.

To begin with, assuming that one believes in the Bible as the Word of God, we need the Bible because it is God's power to save. How? By creating faith. Why? Without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). Without faith in Jesus we cannot be saved (John 8:24). It is the Word of God that produces such faith (Romans 10:17)!

Secondly, the Bible is God's power to save by causing one to be born again. Jesus taught the necessity of being born again (John 3:3-5). The "rebirth," involving water and the Spirit, is produced by receiving the "incorruptible seed" of God's Word (1 Peter 1:23-25a). In particular, that word proclaimed in the gospel of Christ (1 Peter 1:25b)

Which gospel calls for one to be baptized (Mark 16:15-16), as proclaimed by Peter (Acts 2:38). For example, the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5).

Third, we need the Bible because it guides us by keeping one saved. Paul emphasized this value of the Scriptures both to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 10:11-12) and to Timothy (2 Timothy 3:14-17). It teaches us that the saving value of the Word of God is for both young and old. From scripture, we learn the young can keep their ways pure by it (Psalm 119:9), and the elders were commended to the Word for their salvation (Acts 20:32).

Remember, the lack of knowledge concerning God's Word destroyed Israel (Hosea 4:6). But when received with meekness into our hearts, the Word of God has the power to save (James 1:21)!

Similarly, the Bible has the power to comfort. This is accomplished a few ways. First, God comforts us through the hope he gives. Paul wrote of the hope provided by the Old Testament scriptures (Romans 15:4).

The Old Testament provides assurance of our hope in Christ, because it illustrates how God always keeps His promises. Additionally, it illustrates how much more so, the New Testament provides hope by revealing the grace to be shown when Christ comes again (1 Peter 1:13)!

Scripture also comforts us throught the peace it gives. Especially so, as it reveals the means and source of true peace (Philippians 4:6-9). With such inner peace, as provided only by God's word, nothing causes one to stumble (Psalm 119:165, 92-93).

Finally, the Bible provides comfort through the happiness it gives. Such as blessedness (happiness) through the stability and nourishment it provides (Psalm 1:1-3). Note that this comes to one who is engaged in daily Bible reading.

In conclusion, we have learned that in order to fulfill our need for God, we need the Bible. For God has spoken through prophets and His Son (cf. Hebrews 1:1-2). He has made His Word accessible to every nation and tongue (Romans 10:17-18).

With the aid of the Bible, we can experience God's power in our lives. How? We can experience God's power as we learn the way of salvation, and accept it with an obedient faith. We can also experience His power as we walk in the way of salvation, and receive the hope, peace, and happiness God gives.

I'd like to leave you with some additional food for thought. Great men have also spoken of the value of the Bible. Here are just a few famous quotes...

"Within the covers of this one single book, the Bible, are all the answers to all the problems we face today. If only we would read it and believe." - Ronald Reagan

"I believe the Bible is the best gift God has ever given to man. All the good from the Saviour of the world is communicated to us through this book." - Abraham Lincoln

"The Bible is worth more than all other books which have ever been printed." - Patrick Henry

We should ask ourselves, "Is that OUR attitude toward the Bible...?"

Now, let's pray...

O Father, give us the humility which realizes its ignorance, admits its mistakes, recognizes its need, welcomes advice, accepts rebuke. Help us always to praise rather than to criticize, to sympathize rather than to discourage, to build rather than to destroy, and to think of people at their best rather than at their worst. This we ask for thy name's sake. Amen

Until next time...

Have a blessed week!

Bibi