Last month, we began looking at why Scripture is important. We saw that it is holy and inspired, given to us by God through the Holy Spirit to equip us with the evidence to reform our thinking and educate us in our right relationship with God.
This month, we explore the importance of Scripture relating to Jesus Christ as the Word of God.
In a conversation with religious leaders (Pharisees) who were very serious about the importance of Scripture, we find Jesus giving the true benefits of Scripture:
You SEARCH and INVESTIGATE and pore over the SCRIPTURES diligently, because you SUPPOSE and TRUST that you have ETERNAL LIFE through them. AND THESE [VERY SCRIPTURES] TESTIFY ABOUT ME! And still you are not willing [but refuse] to come to ME, so that you might have LIFE.” —John 5:39-40 AMPC (Emphasis Mine)
Jesus makes it clear. The main purpose and benefit of Scripture is to be a witness who reveals and declares the true God and the true “Word of God” (Jesus). Jesus is God’s final word to us regarding who He is and who we are. Jesus Christ is the living Word of God to us, revealing the true nature and character of God as our Father.
John says:
For while the LAW was given through Moses, GRACE (unearned, undeserved favor and spiritual blessing) and truth came through Jesus Christ. No man has EVER SEEN God at ANY TIME; the only unique Son, or the only begotten God, Who is in the BOSOM [in the intimate presence] of the Father, He has DECLARED Him [He has REVEALED Him and BROUGHT Him OUT where He can be SEEN; He has INTERPRETED Him and He has made Him KNOWN. —John 1:17-18 AMPC (emphasis mine)
Jesus tells us:
Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly. “The Father has given me all these things to DO and SAY. This is a unique FATHER-SON operation, coming out of FATHER and SON intimacies and knowledge. No one knows the SON the way the FATHER does, nor the FATHER the way the SON does. But I’m not keeping it to myself; I’m ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen.” —Matthew 11:27 MSG (emphasis mine)
Jesus answered Phillip, who asked:
“…Lord, SHOW us the FATHER, and we will be SATISFIED.” Jesus replied, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t KNOW who I am? ANYONE who has SEEN ME has SEEN the FATHER! So why are you asking me to show him to you? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I speak are not my own, but my Father who lives in me does his work through me.” —John 14:8 NLT
Therefore, when we see Jesus in the Gospels, we can clearly see who God is!
The writer of Hebrews, writing to the Hebrew people, also very serious about the importance and validity of Scripture, says:
IN MANY separate REVELATIONS [each of which set forth a PORTION of the TRUTH] and in DIFFERENT ways God SPOKE of old to [our] FOREFATHERS in and by the PROPHETS, (in the scriptures). [But] in the LAST of these days He has SPOKEN to us in [the person of a] SON, Whom He appointed Heir and lawful Owner of all things, also by and through Whom He created the worlds and the reaches of space and the ages of time [He made, produced, built, operated, and arranged them in order]. HE is the SOLE expression of the GLORY of God [the LIGHT-BEING, the OUT-RAYING or RADIANCE of the DIVINE], and He is the PERFECT IMPRINT and very IMAGE of [God’s] NATURE, upholding and maintaining and guiding and propelling the universe by His mighty word of power…. —Hebrews 1:1-3 AMPC (emphasis mine)
The Bible introduces us to the Living Word (Jesus) by whom we connect to God. It gives us the measuring stick (Jesus) by which we can distinguish the truth from error, and it tells us what God is like.
To have a wrong view of God is no better than worshiping an idol or false god because it is worshiping something Heis not (1 Jn. 5:20-21 AMPC)
The importance of Scripture is that holy men, inspired by God and led by the Holy Spirit, recorded it to reveal Jesus as the Living Word of God. It is only in Jesus that we can know God and enjoy (Zoe) abundant Life!
Let me encourage you today that when you read your Bible, expect God to give you wisdom, understanding and insight into who He really is.
Your heavenly Father loves you compassionately without measure!
Blessings,
Arthur
