What sets the Bible apart from all other literary works in the world? It is that God is the Author of the Bible. He is not its writer, mind you, but its Author. He used holy men to write the Scriptures.
During His public ministry, Jesus said something powerful about His teachings: “The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63, KJV).
So, what gives the Word of God this kind of power? It is our faith. You see, when we read the Bible and mix what we read with our faith, the Word of God becomes a living Word. This happens in at least two ways. One, we see God bring the promises of His Word to pass in our life when we obey Him and exercise faith in what He says. Two, God’s Word imparts truth and light to take root in our spirit and mind, transforming us from within.
On the other hand, if we read the Word of God but fail to believe, it will profit us little if anything. It will be no more than just another literary work. Throughout Jesus’ public ministry, we see how it was a person’s faith that enabled them to experience God’s power and unbelief that had the opposite effect. That’s why Jesus taught so much about the importance of having faith in God. He says when we have faith, nothing will be impossible to us (Mark 9:23).
Jesus also said, “If you continue in My word…you will know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32, NASB). Sad but true, we live in a time when so many people don’t know the truth. This I say because many things and behaviors we accept as the truth or as acceptable today conflict with the Word of God. These “alternative truths” continue to increase with time. But based upon the words of Jesus, His Word is the standard for truth.
One can know true freedom only when he embraces and continues in the teachings of our Lord.
The Uniqueness of the Bible
Countless books are written each and every year. But the Bible resides in a class all by itself. First of all, only the Bible has God for its author. Secondly, no other literary work can transform our life and feed our spirit like the Bible can. Relatively speaking, every other book written is just another literary work.
Some of these other books can and do serve good purposes in our lives as well. But they pale in comparison to what reading and studying the Scriptures will do for us—when we do so with faith.
Confidence in this truth about the uniqueness of the Bible is fundamental to being an effective servant of Christ. Whether you are a pastor, youth leader, a missionary, or one who ministers to those in prison; you must have this core conviction about the Bible. No one in ministry should expect to see the life-changing power of God at work in the lives of others if he or she fails to serve God with this perspective on His Word.
Copyright © 2022 by Frank King. All rights reserved.