The Relevance of the Bible

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I keep hearing people, Christians and non-Christians alike, saying that the Bible is out dated, not in touch with our generation, and too old school; I have to admit that I understand why non-Christians see the Bible this way, but Christians sharing this view point is somewhat striking. And you know what, the Church might not be arguing about whether or not circumcision is a barrier to Heaven, but many believers still think that we cannot get to Heaven without works. The Bible is as relevant today as it has ever been. When it comes to a guiding book of principals the Bible could not be more relevant to today’s Christians. Before we get started I want to say this about the books of the NT: the Gospels were written for everybody, Christian and non-Christian, whereas The Acts of the Apostles, all of the epistles, and Revelation were written to the Church, specifically. Let us pray.

Heavenly Father, Lord on high, we come to you humbly and in repentance. God we love you so much and give ourselves wholly to you. Father we ask that as we study your Word that your love sits on our hearts and your wisdom comes down encasing our minds that we might understand the true meaning of you mighty Word. Thank you for all you’ve given us and for all you’ve taught us, Lord we love you. In the name of Jesus we pray, amen.

Psalms 119:105- Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Jeremiah 23:29- “Is not My word like a fire?” says the Lord, “And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces.”

Hebrews 4:12- For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

If Jesus is the word (John 1:1,2) having become flesh (John 1:14) and through Him all things were created (John 1:3). Now all things, that means everything from the first speck of space spoken into existence to the most recently created life form blessed into creation. If we accept that as true, we must accept that the Bible (the very word of God) is relevant today.

I could very well end with that, but I won’t I want to dig into this study and bring out scriptures from the epistles that are so relevant to Christian life today. So if you’re still with me let us continue onward.

In today’s church many believers struggle with how to live with the world. We are supposed to go into the world and share the love of Christ; I’m not going to give any one particular verse on this truth, but tell you to simply open the book of Acts and read for a few seconds and you’ll see how the apostles did just that here’s a link to show you how Christians are still doing that today. And the cool thing about God is that he didn’t just tell us to go out into the world he warns us not to be conformed to the World, but to be transformed by the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:2). And it is relevant that many Christians aren’t seeing the Bible as relevant, because like myself once, we’re allowing ourselves and fellow believers to conform to what the world thinks we should be like.

Aren’t we supposed to argue with atheists and other non-Christians, because we know God is right and that they’re wrong? And aren’t we supposed to correct people who are wrong? Now this is something that I, admittedly, often struggle with. Again let us go to the scripture. 2 Timothy 2:23,24,25- ²³But avoid foolish disputes, knowing that they generate strife. ²⁴And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, ²⁵in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth,. Let’s break that down. I’ve been in plenty of debates regarding faith (just check out my FB) and neither side ever leaves agreeing with the other. Recently I’ve grown to converse often with non-Christians about things of faith (note the use of the word converse and not debate) and it’s not that people change through those conversations, but nobody leaves angry and people often leave with an understanding of the other person’s point of view and through that a seed is planted for Christ to grow. And yes the scripture does tell us to correct, but let’s first look at who it tells us to correct : those in opposition, if God grants them repentance. So that means we are to correct other (newer) believers in Christ once they give themselves to God. I’ve been through the NT and I’ll tell you what I’ve never read: be right, correct the non-Christians, or generate strife with those who would disagree. What I have read regarding instructing or warning others: Jesus told us to beware of the religious in Luke 12, nearly every verse written by Paul, James, or the other writers of the NT, and in nearly every verse they were instructing the Church how to act not people outside of the body. Sorry about drifting from the main topic, but it just goes to show you how relevant it is today.

Okay so let’s look at some problems and instructions given to the early church that are also relevant today (although you’d hear me argue that all of them are relevant, I’m not going to copy the entire NT onto this blog at this moment). 

Pride was/is a problem (James 4:1-3) therefore humility was/is instructed (1 Peter 5:5/James 1:6). 

Hypocrisy was/is a problem therefore wisdom was/is instructed (James 3:17). 

Judgment and partiality were/are problems therefor they were/are instructed against (James 2:1-4). 

Give me a problem you find in the Church today and I can keep this up, I promise, but I won’t unless prompted to.

In conclusion I think that we can all agree that the Holy Word of God is without a doubt as relevant today as it has ever been. Let us pray.

Father, we love you so much. Help us to trust in your perfect word and to find strength within its pages. Lord, when we come upon times in our lives that breed struggle help us find comfort within the written word of life. Lord we love you so, and thank you for such an amazing book in which you perfectly oversaw the writing of, to show us how much you love us and how to become more like you and that lets us know that one day we will be made perfect. We love you, In the name of Jesus, we pray, Amen.

Please feel encouraged to leave a comment and/or subscribe. God bless you all and remember, there is no better substance than the word of God in which you’ll find the Holy Spirit.