What is the Bible?
Why do Christians read, teach, love, and trust the bible?
The word “Bible” literally means “book”, which means the Holy Bible is literally the Holy Book. The Bible is all about relationship. It is a book about God’s love for and relationship with his children, as well as our relationships with one another.
The Bible is God’s Word. Written over the course of 1500 years God used 40 different authors to relay the stories and testimonies we find throughout the 39 Old Testament and 27 New Testament scriptures. It is an instruction manual teaching us how to live our best life, get through anything we face, love fully, find peace, hope, and comfort. It is a book of forgiveness, faith, grace, sacrifice, and so much more.
‘Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. ‘
John 5:24
Is the Bible relevant?
My pastor said once “our level of appreciation is often based on our level of understanding.” The relevance of the Bible is a very common debate. More and more, people do not see it as relevant, and that is why it is all the more relevant and important to read, study and understand. Only through diving in and striving to understand it can we learn to appreciate its relevance in our own lives.
‘ The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.’
Isaiah 40:8
‘ Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent”’
John 17:3
“…stand forever.” “…eternal life.” These are terms we see throughout scripture. Although the words “eternal” and “forever” sound like they are talking about the future, which would be unknown, it actually begins here and now. The Word of God is eternal – the relevance of it never expires. Scripture will always be essential and applicable, through all of time, which includes right now.
“…new life.” “…born again.” Eternal life, and being reborn, given new life, means that when you love and accept God, His Word, and His son you are changed. As you develop your faith, as you grow closer in your relationship with God, begin to understand what He has done for you, what He has the power to do, you begin to change. You are transformed into the best version of yourself.
‘ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
2 Corinthians 5:17
The Word of God Heals
When I made the decision to trust and follow God I learned what it meant to be given new life. I began reading my Bible not out of obligation or because I was told to do so. Gratefully, I started reading it with the desire to learn what it meant, to learn how to heal. I started navigating that nagging question “if there is a God, why would He care about me?” As I read, studied, and understood more I began to appreciate it more. I experienced God’s healing through His Word.
‘For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. ‘
Hebrews 4:12
The Word of God Transforms
The Word of God has the power to completely transform you. Not only does it provide instructions about how we should behave and live, but it provides hope, inspires courage and humility, pours out love, and can help you through any dark time.
It explains who God is, tells us what Jesus has done for us, teaches us countless lessons, and gives innumerable testimonies and stories from real people throughout time that carry relevance even today. It gives us a look into the beginning of human history and tells us where we came from.
‘And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. ‘
1 John 5:11-13
Believing that the Bible is the true Word of God opens the door to unimaginable blessings that God is holding for you, waiting for you to trust and believe in Him.
