The Counseling Corner
By Rev. Judith T. Lester, B.Min. M.Th
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” – Lamentations 3:22-23
In the midst of making your New Year’s resolutions, let me suggest that at the top of your list you make a commitment to making daily Bible study and learning more about God’s endless love and mercy a priority. Last week we began listing reasons why the Bible is so special. This week, we will continue to list those reasons:
Why is the Bible so special?
As to its sufficiency, the Bible contains the truths of revelation which deepen the believer’s relationship with God. Because it is God’s Word, it is truthful in all that it teaches.
The Bible: The inspired word of God
God’s Word affords us lines of proof as to the inspiration of the Scriptures. Two will be presented here: (i) from the testimony of Scriptures themselves and (ii) from reason. First, from testimony of the Scriptures, Paul wrote: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16-17, NIV). The Greek word for inspiration is “theopneustos” which means “God breathed out” the Scriptures. The human authors wrote what was given to them by God. This is confirmed in 2 Peter 1:21 “For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”
Another strong proof for the inspiration of the Scriptures comes from reason. There are the sublime conceptions of God found in the Scriptures that must have come to us because of inspiration, for the mind of humans unaided could not have reached such remarkable conclusions concerning the invisible God. For example, the psalmist notes in Psalm 8:1, 3, 4: “Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory in the heavens. When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place. What is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?” Finally, God’s Word is infallible (incapable of wandering from the truth) and it is inerrant (incapable of making a mistake). There is no book in the world that even approaches the Bible in its conception of God. Next week, we will turn our attention to some amazing benefits that comes from studying the inspired Word of God.
Next week: Continuation
General Disclaimer: The writer has used her best efforts in preparation of this information. No representations or warranties for its contents, either expressed or implied, are offered. Neither the publisher nor the writer shall be liable in any way for readers’ efforts to apply, rely or utilize the information or recommendations presented herein as they may not be suitable for you or necessarily appropriate for every situation to which they may refer. This information is for educational purposes only. If you would like to contact Rev. Lester, write to her c/o P.O. Box 121, Brookfield, WI. 53008.