THE BIBLE: WHO NEEDS IT!

By Charles N. Spence, Jr.

The Bible is often viewed as a piece of antiquated literature that has outlived its usefulness. The way most people tend to live their lives is a clear indication that they do not believe that the Bible has any relevance in their lives. A person’s life today is being measured by the wisdom of this world. Many choose to solve life’s problems with therapy, psychiatry, and even daytime talk shows. Gone are the days when people would rally around the sagacity that emanates from the word of God.

I want to encourage people to get back to the plain, practical truths of God’s words. To do that I will show why the Bible is needed by all who are interested in doing what is right in this life with the hope of attaining to the life to come.

Let me begin by looking at the practical benefits of the Scriptures from the apostle Paul’s perspective. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

First, God gives all Scripture. The Bible is God’s book. We have access into the mind of the “Wisdom of the ages.” Our Omniscient Creator has provided us with everything necessary to live a good life (2 Pet. 1:3).

Second, it is beneficial in four areas. (1) For teaching: it provides the body of principles and doctrine necessary to make one wise unto salvation and a child of the faith (2 Tim. 3:15; Rom. 10:17). (2) For reproof: the word of God is an effective tool used to convince individuals about the will of God (2 Tim. 4:2). The Bible is laid out in such a way as to clearly and adequately convict the intellect that what it says is true. (3) For correction: all that stray from the way of God can get back on the straight path, if they follow the Bible’s directives. No one who has ever followed the Bible’s carefully mapped out precepts was ever lost. (4) For instruction in righteousness: the Bible instructs anyone who is willing to follow it in the way of right living. When people’s lives seem to be a mess and things do not tend to go right, I am sure the Bible will say something to address their particular problem.

Third, the servant of God never has to worry about being without adequate resources to do God’s work. God created for Himself his own special people that would do His work (Eph. 2:10; Tit. 2:14). What a tragedy it would be, to hold men accountable for works that they were not adequately and thoroughly equipped to perform. No child of God can claim that he did not know what to do or how to do it. He can search the Scriptures because they are complete and replete with instruction concerning God’s work.

Finally, the Bible helps to perfect men. Men are always falling short, stumbling, and making mistakes. The Bible helps men to become spiritually mature. A man can grow in understanding and wisdom (1 Pet. 2:2). He can be everything that God wants him to be. However, he can never attain to the glory of God, if he refuses to follow the Bible.

Certainly, more can be added to help the reader be even more convinced in why he needs the Bible. Suffice it to say that, if he hopes to make it through this life with any semblance of hope for eternal life, he must follow the Bible. The Bible: we all need it!