Again, my many thanks to both the Author and the Publisher.John B.
Let this begin with a question:
1). What knowledge is unattainable by human wisdom?
Job 11:7 "Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?"
Romans 11:30-36 " For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counselor? Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen."
2) How only can we obtain the knowledge God has for us?
Deuteronomy 29:29 "The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law."
NOTE: Please let's all hold that the Bible is a book for everybody, in which God speaks for the purpose of being understood by everyone; that its language is conformed to the ordinary uses of speech; and that it is to be interpreted in the same common sense way in which we would interpret the will of deceased loved one, or to ascertain the meaning of a letter on business. It was not written to tax our ingenuity, or to test men's skill at learning exposition. Its design is to instruct, and in the most familiar way to express to mankind the mind and will of God
3) What confidence may we have in the knowledge which comes to us through the word of God?
Proverbs 22:20-21 "Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge, That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?"
Merle d'Aubigne' wrote this in his "History of the Reformation, Vol. 4.P.75. "There is no sure doctrine but such as is conformable to the word of god... This Word is the only truth; it is the sure rule of all doctrine and of all life, and can never fail or deceive us"
4) To a world alienated from the Word of God through sin, what assurance does the Holy Bible bring?
Romans 1:16 " For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek."
Note: This passage removes, or so should remove, any doubts, that the Bible is means for all of humanity Amen?
"The Word of God" by Raymond Irving Lindquist: "The Bible finds us where we are, and if, we permit, takes us where we ought to go.... What the Bible promises is fabulous but not a fable."
Charles Allen Dinsmore's "The English Bible as Literature". . The multitudes go to the bible, not for knowledge, but for power; they go to renew their sense of spiritual realities, and to catch again the vision of splendid. This book passes beyond a classic and becomes to men a word of God, because it voices those ultimate truths which gives meaning to life, and life its meaning. These truths are the truths upon which our faith rests, which bring comfort to our hearts, and keep burning the fires of hope. They areas final religion as the primary colors are to painting, or the line and circle to geometry. The men who first expressed them endeavored to state them in the fullness of power; they were passionately concerned to have these truths produce their full effect in reading men's minds and hearts. Pages 102-103..
5) What transformation is made possible through the Word?
1 Peter 1:23-25 "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you."
6) But...how does the Word bless the transformed life?
a) It gives understanding...... Psalms 119:130 "The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple."
b). It keeps us from sin: Psalms 119:11 "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee."
c). It guides in the way of life: Psalms 119:105 "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."
d). I builds: Acts 20:32 "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."
e). It give us hope: Romans 15:4 "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
Note: G.Ernest Wright. "The Christian Interpreter as Biblical Critic." Interpretation, vol.1, No.2, p.151. "The primary function of the Bible, then, is to serve as the spectacles which dispel the otherwise confused notions of God, and bring us to a clear perspective. As Calvin also knew, the Scripture as spectacles not only brings the true God into our sight but also enables us to see and to understand our selves, our true nature, and the nature of our history."
7). How completely does the Bible meet human needs?
2 Timothy 3:16-17 "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."
Note: Comments on 2 Timothy 3:17 by Albert Barnes: The object is not merely to convince and to convert him; it is to furnish all the instruction needful for his entire perfection.... [ needed for Heaven JB] There is no deficiency in the Bible for man, in any of the situations in which he may be placed in life; and the whole tendency of the book is to make him who will put himself fairly under its instruction, absolutely perfect!
8) What value, therefore does Job place upon the word?
Job 23:12 "Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food."
Note: John A. MacKay's "God Has Spoken" Theology today, vol 3.No. 2, p.145. "The Book that men most need to study is the Book of which they know little and understand less. that Book is the Holy Bible".
9). What supreme gifts come to us through the Word of God?
1 John 5:13 "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God."
2 Thessalonians 2:14 "Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ."
NOTE (JB) Without one's accepting and belief with honest faith in Jesus Christ, thus if one wants nothing to do with Jesus, and as HE is the Life, He removes his life sustaining force from you, because He loves you enough to give one their desire, meaning one will perish. How can this be put more plainly?
10). Where will the Bible lead those who take it as their guide?
Psalms 43:3 "O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles."
Revelation 21:1-5 "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful."
NOTE(JB) at that point in time we shall see, with our own eyes, God powers at work as He re-created the garden of Eden again, but across this entire earth, AFTER the Lake of Fire has done its designed work, to purify the whole earth! It is the first and last time this fire shall be so used! Thus there is not, nor ever has been a burning hell, until that point in time, no man knows!
11). On the other hand, what dire results will follow its [the Bible] neglect?
Proverbs 13:13 "Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded."
FEARETH: is best used as REVERE, to be in awe of God's Law! For it is His glory His character!
12). What, then, should be our attitude to the word?
a. Seek after it!....Isaiah 34:16 "Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read: no one of these shall fail, none shall want her mate: for my mouth it hath commanded, and his spirit it hath gathered them."
b. Give it earnest heed.....Hebrews 2:1 " Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. Hebrews 2:3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;"
c). Obey it......James 1:22 "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.""
Next: "How to understand Your Bible"
Thanking YOU, for your time, Questions? Comments? John at servant@frontier.com
Want more? Visit your Seventh day Adventist church any Saturday/Sabbath at 9-10AM, Knowing that Jesus love YOU so much, that He gave His life for you and me, that we might have eternal life!
Other sites: amazingdiscoveries.org: aftv.org: blbn.org: servantsite@wordpress.com
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