Someone has cleverly observed that the B.I.B.L.E. stands for “Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth.” That sentiment is quite true! God’s Word must be known, loved, respected and applied (James 1:22-25). Certainly without God’s Word, no one is ready to depart this life or even able to really live life the way God intended (Psalm 119:105; 2 Peter 1:3-4). What a wonderful treasure is the Word of God (Psalm 119:162)! Consider just how wonderful God’s Book really is.
B – The Bible is a book about BELIEF. John’s thesis certainly attests to this fact. “And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name” (John 20:30-31 emp. added). In fact, real faith can only be produced by a study of God’s Word (Romans 10:17; 1:16; Acts 4:4; 8:12; 15:7). The Bible is a book about belief!
I – The Bible is a book about INHERITANCE. In Paul’s farewell address to the Ephesian elders, he affirmed, “And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified” (Acts 20:32). Paul again declared, “For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel” (Colossians 1:5). The Bible details forth the hope of which each and every faithful child of God can be assured.
B – The Bible is a book about BEHAVIOR. Unfortunately, “the health and wealth gospel” that is continually propagated throughout this sinful world is false! “Find God in your own way” may be popular, but it is anything but scriptural. Paul’s words to Timothy were clear. “These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:14-15). There is a proper way of behavior and an improper way as well (Philippians 1:27; 1 Timothy 4:12; 1 Peter 1:15-16, et al).
L – The Bible is a book about LOVE. The theme of the Bible is the redemption of sinful man through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ to the glory of God (Ephesians 3:10-11), which certainly is a display of God’s love (John 3:16; 1 John 3:16; 4:9-10). It was love that prompted, promoted and accomplished the scheme of redemption (John 13:35; Romans 5:6ff). Although not just a “love story,” the Bible contains the real definition and display of love!
E – The Bible is a book about ENDURANCE. Over and over again, the Bible admonishes endurance and faithfulness by its readers. The Bible opens with the sad picture of those who failed to endure (i.e., Adam and Eve, Genesis 3) and closes with the consummation of salvation for those who do in fact endure to the end (Revelation 21). Truly, “blessed is the man that endureth” (James 1:12). God’s Book teaches us how to begin the race, how to compete in the race, and how to win and finish the race!
There is simply no other book that is so needed in the world today more than the Bible. What many have learned as children is certainly true, “The B.I.B.L.E., yes that’s the book for me, I stand alone on the Word of God, the B.I.B.L.E.”
