Sufficiency of Scripture

Alex Bangle on January 11, 2011

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV) All that we need is in scripture, it is sufficient for our salvation and to our walks with Christ. Yet here’s the challenge to that… “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.” (Deuteronomy 29:29 ESV).

So then are we content to say I will let the Bible be what God gave it to be? And when we don’t understand we go to His Word and prepare ourselves to hear what the Word says and to be okay if it doesn’t answer our question fully or to our likening. Although other teachers may inspire us, we must never rely on their teachings alone, but compare all to the Bible and it’s full truth.

Scripture is Necessary

Alex Bangle on January 9, 2011

“…from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”(2 Tim 3:15). “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”(Matt 4:4). “Just as our physical lives are maintained by daily nourishment with physical food, so our spiritual lives are maintained by daily nourishment with the Word of God.” – Wayne Grudem

I truly hope we grab hold of that truth; we must keep ourselves in God’s Scriptures, the Bible. Whether it’s a daily verse/devotional, a few minutes reading before your day begins or before it ends, or maybe even an hour long bible study. Find ways to keep your self in scripture, because the bible makes it clear it is important to salvation and to continue to grow our walks with God. It is a Necessity!

Obey the Bible

Alex Bangle on January 6, 2011

As I mentioned yesterday the bible has authority because it is the Word of God. However we should also be clear since that is true then if we disobey scripture then we are disobeying God. “If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed.” (2 Thessalonians 3:14 ESV). Just one of many verse that deal with obedience to the Word of God.

On the surface yes we agree in the truths of the Bible, but how many of us read something we don’t like and try to push it off by saying, it doesn’t mean that. Take this command from the Bible from Jesus. Matthew 5:34 “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you”. And that is very difficult for many of us to do every day or maybe at all. Yet we should be striving towards that through the grace of Jesus Christ. Let His Word take root in your life and be blessed by it.

Authority of the Bible

Alex Bangle on January 5, 2011

In order for us to allow the words of the Bible to have authority in our lives we must first fully believe and trust them to be the actual Words of God. This comes by studying the scriptures, seeing their accuracy and as you read seeing the claims the bible makes for itself in the quotes such as “Thus says the Lord”. In the end it will take faith in God and a desire and will to follow and serve Him.

Timothy 3:16 “All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness”. The authoritative stance of the bible sets it apart and gives it impact in our lives. This view and approach is critical in our reading of God’s Word, why read it if we did not believe it is truth and from God. I would argue next to Jesus Christ the Bible or The Word is our greatest gift and we take it for granted everyday

Scripture

Alex Bangle on January 4, 2011

“You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it; that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you” – Deuteronomy 4:2. I think we would agree with this passage that we should not add or remove from the Word of God. However, we too often in our daily living and thinking add or remove from the scriptures of the Bible. Not to say we can’t interpret or reflect on scripture but more so that we must be very careful what we allow ourselves to hear and take to heart.

We too often take what some says, from what they learned and then use it to formulate what we believe, and we never take it to the scripture to see if it’s truth. I’ve seen to many times someone or myself have been lead astray by false words or belief. I find it crazy that we have access to the very Words of God in the Bible, yet we don’t read it to teach us who God is. Let truth be spread as truth and let the distorted truth and lies be washed away.

The Word of God

Alex Bangle on January 4, 2011

The Word of God can be expressed in several ways, as Jesus Christ (Jn 1:1, Rev 19:13), speech by God, personal address by God, God speaking through human lips and the written word (The Bible). All of these are truth and ways the Word of God haven been shared and expressed to us. Of all of these though, we have direct access 24/7 to one, the bible. The bible is God’s written word, documentation of that which He has, is and will do.

“This is the form of God’s Word that is available for study, for public inspection, for repeated examination and as a basis for mutual discussions. It tells us about and points us to the Word of God as a person, namely Jesus Christ, whom we do not now have present in bodily form on earth.” – Systematic Theology. We should read the bible daily and reflect on God’s Word, letting it reach deep into our hearts and minds to change us and shape us into His image. 

Truth, Action and Prayer

Alex Bangle on January 2, 2011

The study of God and His word is a critical thing to our Christian faith and many forget the importance of it. Of course, study of truth alone isn’t enough because taking it into practice is critical! But on the other hand action without a solid foundation of truth can lead to grave mistakes and misunderstanding. I hope this year through these blogs and other interactions that we all may seek out the hard truth’s of God and not be ashamed of the gospel and what it says.

Also that we may pause everyday during our busy schedules, if only for a moment, reflect on God and His Word. That’s my challenge, don’t just stop for a moment and read this blog, or just throw a 5 second prayer out before walking in the door. But to take a moment to stop and think upon God who is in heaven on His throne reigning supremely over and in all things in heaven and on earth, the visible and invisible.