The one who despises the word will be in debt to it,
But the one who fears the commandment will be rewarded.
(Proverbs 13:13)
The Scriptures, -the Word of God, -the Bible is a gift to us which has come at great cost. The writers of Scripture, inspired by the Holy Spirit wrote as they were led and moved by Him to record God’s Word. “So we have the prophetic word made more sure to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your heart. But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.” – 2 Peter 1:19-21.
In some countries in this world, both now and in times past, the Bible was not available to people. To have a complete copy of God’s Word was a treasure and was guarded, read, and protected. In many, many cases, fragments of chapters or single pages were safeguarded, protected and read with appreciative hearts.
The Bible is the written word of God. Christ is the Living Word. The Bible points us to Him. It describes over and over the problem of man: SIN. It points man to the only solution for the SIN problem: CHRIST. The hymn writer says it this way, “Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.”
But, Christ the Living Word does not solve the debt of sin and then leave us to ourselves. The Holy Spirit lives in the Christian and works to form the image of Christ in the Christian. The Scriptures, the written word, is the Sword of the Spirit; it is the guide and transforming tool used by God within the heart and mind.
“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3:16) Warren Wiersbe provided great insight on this verse of scripture when he wrote that all Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for:
Teaching (What’s right!)
Reproof (What’s wrong!)
Correction (How to get right!)
Training in righteousness (How to stay right!)
But, be warned; do not neglect such great and costly gifts. The Savior is also the King. Would anyone of sound mind ignore or push aside such a great and loving King and His gifts; a King who gave all as ransom for us? Would anyone of sound mind ignore His Book, — the one book given to us from God Himself? Are the pages worn on your Bible, or are they like new? Does the Bible lie in a prominent place in your home, or is it covered with magazines or newspapers?
If all the books and reading materials in your home were taken away forever, would the loss of the Bible be the greatest loss?
Its cover and pages may be worn and tear stained, but such a Bible as that is a prized possession. “All that’s gold does not glitter”. May God’s Word have a place of high standing in your heart and home and family.
“I venture to say that the bulk of Christians spend more time in reading the newspaper than they do reading the Word of God.” –Charles Spurgeon