You may have seen accounts of the distribution of Bibles to people in areas where Christians are persecuted. People are willing to walk for miles to get a copy of God’s word in their language, then they treasure it more than they would gold or precious jewels. Why? Because that is how precious having the word of God is.
Psalm 19:7–10 (ESV) — 7 The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; 8 the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lordis pure, enlightening the eyes; 9 the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.
The word of God is so accessible to anyone speaks English that it’s a shame that people who have it don’t read it and certainly don’t value it as those in areas where it is not so available.
We tend to forget that God has made it known, in His word, that the word of God is necessary food for our spiritual health and joy.
1 Peter 2:2–3 (ESV) — 2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.
2 Timothy 3:16–17 (ESV) — 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
Psalm 119:103–104 (ESV) — 103 How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! 104 Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.
Psalm 119:105 (ESV) — 105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Deuteronomy 8:3 (ESV) — 3 And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.
The Westminster Confession Of Faith – Shorter Catechism reminds us about what Scriptures principally teach – “What man is to believe concern God, and what duty God requires of. Man.
Deuteronomy 10:12–13 (ESV) — 12 “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, 13 and to keep the commandments and statutes of the Lord, which I am commanding you today for your good?
Joshua 1:8 (ESV) — 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
God’s word directs us to the only way of salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Timothy 3:15 (ESV) — 15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
1 Peter 1:23 (ESV) — 23 since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God;
Romans 10:8–10 (ESV) — 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
It is very clear that the Scriptures are very important when it comes to salvation, and very important in the sanctification of the believer in growing to maturity in Christ.
Romans 10:17 (ESV) — 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
Hebrews 5:11–14 (ESV) — 11 About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, 13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. 14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.
The Bible is even a major weapon of defense.
Ephesians 6:17 (ESV) — 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
With all these benefits, you’d think that people who claim the name of the Lord Jesus Christ would be making sure they are disciplined in the reading, studying, memorizing, meditating upon, and applying the word of God, but sadly it’s not the case. Why? It boils down to a lack of discipline as most people say they just don’t have time. I encourage you to find the time by carving out time to get into the word of God because as you enjoy the benefits, you’ll find more time.
Godspeed,
Bob Brubaker, Pastor
Christ Community Presbyterian Church
Clearwater, FL
