WHY THE BIBLE
Have you ever wonder why we have the Bible? Or how we are suppose to us it? Well I think God knew we could not live without it.
Why the Bible, well for starters it is a handbook for Christians to live by instructions if you will. Second it is a history of the world. Yes you heard right history of the World. Let us address this for a moment to see how God’s word tells us the history of the world, for years Scientist and Historians have been trying to prove that God did not create the world but as always the Bible proves them wrong. Scientist and historians say that thousands of years ago water covered the earth, this is true but the Bible says the same thing only it gives us a more reliable reason for the flood, but scientist and historians say that man did not exist before that time. Wrong the Bible tell the whole story of how because of mans sinful ways the Lord flooded the earth killing everything an everyone but Noah, his family and all the beast of the earth, birds of the sky and so on. Scientist say that nothing existed before the flood because they can find no signs in the earths layers, I think that if God want them to find anything they would and God hide this for a reason. Scientist and historians tell us that when Moses crossed the Red Sea that God did not part the sea but instead Moses crossed at the upper end of the Red Sea where it is only about 200 yards wide and only a couple of feet deep, very shallow. If this was true why is it that Pharaoh and his army were unable to over take and kill the Israelites. The Bible says that the SEA opened and allowed the Israelites to cross on dry ground and then closed in killing Pharaohs army. Scientist do not dispute the fact that Pharaoh and his army were killed while trying to over take the Israelites, You know what I think, the Bible must be right again because the Israeli people still live today. These are just a few examples of how the Bible tells about the history of the world.
No matter how far scientist go back in history the results are the same, the Bible tells the whole story. And unlike science which changes with every new discovery the Bible stays the same and it never changes, it is the same today as it was thousands of years ago when history was made. That is how God intended it to be then and now.
Now let us address the Bible as a handbook for living a Christian life. The Bible was written as a guide on how we should live according to Jesus Christ. The New Testament was written by the disciples and apostles as a testimony of what Jesus taught the people of those days about living for God. The gospels, do you know why they are called gospel? Do you know the definition of the word Gospel? The definition of Gospel is: unquestionably true and they are called the Gospels because they are unquestionably true.
Before the New Testament the profits tried to teach us the ways in which we should live, but man was unable to live for the Lord in the law. That is why God sent Jesus to live and die for you an I. Jesus gave us clear instructions on how to live, pray and receive forgiveness for sin and enter into to house of the Lord (heaven). In the book of Matthew chapter 5: 43-48 Jesus tells us:
43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Jesus tells us to love our enemy,
Matthew 6: 5-15 Jesus tells us how to pray:
5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread. he heat
12 And forgive us ours debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Jesus continues to give us instruction on how to live through out the Bible as in Matthew 7: 1-14 Jesus tells us about judging others and also how to ask, seek and knock, for everyone who knocks the door will open, and for everyone who ask they will receive. In Mark 7: 1-23 Jesus teaches us to be clean on the inside in the heart, and if we follow this guide nothing unclean will come from us. In Luke 6: 46-49 Jesus give us instructions on how to build a house that will with stand anything that comes at it. That house is your faith in God. I could go on an on with example after example from the books of the Bible, both Old and New Testament to show how God gives instructions.
The Bible can get you through any troubles of this world; all that is required is that we follow the instructions. There is an old saying, When all else fails Read the Instructions.
For some reason us humans seem to think we can do it with out any help. When that happens we fail and then we want to know why. Has this ever happened in your life, it has in mine. Well there is a fatal disease that man catches from time to time called Pride.
Pride can kill. Have you ever met a man so proud that he could not ask for help or that when offered help turned it down? A man like that is dead already and does not know it.
In the Bible we see what will happen if we do not use the instruction, look at Luke 16:15-31 Jesus gives us a glimpse of what is in wait for those that do not follow instructions. Also the book of Revelations 20:12-15 tell us what will happen if we do not use the instruction book, The Bible. A Pastor who is a friend of mine once told his congregation that the letters used to spell Bible stood for Believers Instructions Before Leaving Earth.
This is about as good of a description of what the Bible is to be used for. To prepare us for eternity either in Heaven or Hell. It is our choice and we will have to live with it. Do you follow the teachings of the Bible or of the world?
Often times men and women are scared of failing in life and try to cover it up by putting on an act of being a Christian. I was like that once and I thank God that he sent someone to remind me about the instruction book. If you are a Christian then you already know that you are suppose read the Bible and follow the teaching of Christ. If you think you are a Christian but still have not used the instruction book in your every day life You may not be a Christian after all and you may not have as good of a relationship with God as you think. If you have not accepted Jesus as your savior I ask you to pick up a Bible and find out what you are missing. It could change your life forever.
My prayers go with you and I hope that God will bless you through this.
Testimony Of A Believer / By Bro Roger Jennings
