“The Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and helps us do what is right. It is God’s way of making us well prepared at every point, fully equipped to do good to everyone” 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Two months after we were married, we left our home and all that was familiar to us and drove halfway across the country where my husband would attend Bible College. We (and our parents) thought we would get a thorough grounding in the Bible and our Christian faith would be stronger.
However, the opposite happened. Some of the professors’ teachings put serious doubts in our minds regarding the authenticity of the Bible. We doubted the virgin birth of Jesus Christ. We doubted God parting the Red Sea. We doubted the story of Jonah and the whale. And, as a result, we also doubted parts of the Bible that didn’t condone our attitudes and lifestyle.
Because of doubting some of the Word of God, something serious happened to us. We no longer had an absolute standard to measure all of life against. We would pick and chose what we wanted to believe and disregard what we didn’t like – especially if it demanded a life or attitude change. I became unstable and unhappy. I had lost my bearings.
Fortunately friends and relatives noticed that our faith was wavering and encouraged us to attend a Christian conference. It was a life-changing experience because it was here that we both yielded the control of our lives to Jesus Christ.
A few weeks later I was listening to a message by psychologist Dr. Henry Brandt. He made a statement that would change my thinking. He told us that he had to make a choice to believe the Bible was his ultimate authority, not worldly wisdom, but God’s Word. Right then, in my kitchen, I told God that from that moment on I would choose the Bible to be my authority. Anything that didn’t line up with God’s word, I would reject.
As I began applying to my life what God taught me when I read the Bible, I regained stability, peace, joy, guidance, wisdom and much, much more.
There are many things in the Bible I still don’t understand and probably never will, but it is because God is so great and I am finite, not because it is not true.
I urge you to take time to read the Bible every day. Ask God to show you what He wants to teach you that day. You will be surprised how often it is exactly what you need.
Father, thank You for your Holy Word. Thank You for the Holy Spirit who opens our minds to what You want to teach us each time we read it. Give us a hunger and thirst for the Bible. Amen.
FURTHER READING:
Jesus Trusted the Bible You Should Too by Rick Warren
The Truth Will Set You Free by Rick Warren
Truth Can Set You Free by Charles Stanley
Steps to Truth by Christa Hardin