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Christianity is the religion of a book.

A.W. Pink

I found this quote very profound because if our only source of knowledge is found in one place, it is very important for me to make sure that one source is legitimate. Think about it. If you have a loved one who passed away and left you a momento to remember them by, how precious would that gift be to you? How much more should the words of our Lord be, that go beyond sentimental value and have the key of eternal life in them?

What I want to do is look at a couple of passages on seeing the importance of Scripture and why it should be so precious to us. 

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech,and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words,whose voice is not heard. Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy. Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat. The law of the Lord is perfect,reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure,making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right,rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold,even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults. Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Psalm 19:1-14 ESV

Here we get an all encompassing psalm. We get to see the order of creation (general revelation) and then the importance and perfection of God's word (special revelation). Finally, we see the understanding of God and His word (repentance and faith).

Let's focus on verses 7-11, God's special revelation. Without the word of God, could we ever truly know God?

Verse 7 would imply no. If we, as sinners, are dead in our trespasses and sins, then we are in desperate need of a revival of our souls. What has the ability to do this?

  • The Law of the Lord (is perfect). The word of God.
  • Christ tells us in John 14 that He is the way, the truth and the life. This means that not only is He life giving, He is the source of life.
  • His word is what brings forth life.

 

So what does that tell us? There is no life, apart from Christ. Think about what Paul says in Philippians 1.

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Philippians 1:21 ESV

Have you ever heard anyone say, "You have not lived until you have..."? That is the emphasis Paul is giving here. Life is pointless, meaningless and amounts to nothing apart from Christ. And how do we learn more about Him? We do this through His word.

In Psalm 19, David uses this method of repetition to emphasize just how precious and useful the word of God is. He tells us the word of God revives the soul, makes the simple wise, enlightens their eyes, it endures, it's always true, and always righteous.

So, when it comes to decision making, evangelizing, or dealing with difficult people, how often are you consulting the word of God in these moments? If it were "more desired than gold, even much fine gold" or thought of as "sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb", how much more often would we be "warned" and in keeping them find "great reward"?

We should pray as David prayed in verses 12-14.

Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults. Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Psalm 19 1:12-14 ESV

Let's look at one of my favorite passages of scripture. In light of what we read in Psalm 19, let's see how Paul is reinforcing that idea here.

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 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 complete, equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:14-17 ESV

Paul says, "make you wise for salvation", David says, "makes wise the simple". 

Now, what books of the Bible would the Apostles have been preaching from?

They were preaching from the Old Testament. The New Testament was in the process of being compiled and as they went to synagogues preaching, they would do so from the "sacred writings", which were the 39 books of the Old Testament. 

Have you every really considered that someone could preach Christ from the Old Testament?

Let's look at the account of the Road to Emmaus in Luke 24.

And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!”

Luke 24:25-34 ESV

In order for us to properly interpret the Old Testament, me must have Christ in view. The whole story through the Old Testament points to the greater reality found in the fullness of time. 

It was like proper exegesis (pulling out the truths that are in the texts) ignited something within them that was only flickering up to that point. Stimulating the mind intellectually should also stimulate the heart.

Have you ever heard someone say, "I don't need theology, all I need is Jesus!" or, "No creed but Christ, no book but the Bible!"

There is an obvious issue with the first statement. How else can you know who Jesus is apart from the experiential worship that is done through the ministry of the Word? 

The second statement is a creed in itself. People mean well, but both statements are self-defeating phrases.

Let's conclude our time by remembering what Paul wrote to Timothy in our earlier passage: 

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 complete, equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV

Laramie Gildon

Laramie is a Pastor of Community Baptist Church in Victoria, Tx. He and his wife have been married for eight years and have four children.