Proverbs 30:5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto
them that put their trust in him.
I believe in two fundamental doctrines regarding
the Bible. The first is that the Bible, in its entirety, was given by
inspiration of God. This means that God gave original writers, later
translators, copyists, and even the church the wisdom and understanding to put
down on paper what God wanted us to have, discarding that which was not given
by inspiration. The translators of the Authorized Version had been given that
inspiration as the power of that Book in the lives of those who actually submit
to it rather than to a celebrity preacher attest. No other Bible has the cross
referencing, parallel phrasing, key words, or replacement wording that the KJB
has for self-definition and understanding. This is not “God breathed” or
dictated word for word as Jeremiah 36 shows but given by inspiration.
Job 32:8 But there is a spirit in man: and
the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.
2Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable
for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
(Anyone can understand that Timothy, being
raised with scripture, could not have had the original writings of Moses and
the prophets. Therefore, the all scripture refers to all scripture, including
copies and translations.)
2Peter 3:15 And account that the
longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also
according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
Secondly, I believe in the doctrine of
preservation. God preserved the Bible He gave by inspiration. If He was not
capable of that how do you know He is capable of saving you?
Psalm 12:6 The words of the LORD are pure
words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. 7 Thou
shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for
ever.
Psalm 119:89 LAMED. For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.
The power of the King James Bible, the
Authorized Version, to save and sanctify those who read it seeking to gain
something from it, believing, is only one proof of it being the preserved word
of God, given by inspiration.
God is a shield to those who put their trust in
Him through His pure word. I depend on God’s word to keep me from sin. I have
only been disappointed when I willfully have chosen sin but that isn’t a
failing in the word but in me. There are things I have, in times past, enjoyed
partaking in that I no longer can even stomach, those things repel me. The
Bible has given me a deeper love for my family, more tolerance for those around
me, a desire to glorify Christ, and to hear and read the word every day to as much
an extent as possible.
I am not perfect and complete and will not ever be so in this
life. In many ways you reading this are probably far superior to me in
spirituality and character. However, I am completely dependent on God’s word to
set me apart, to sanctify me, for any use, no matter how small or unimportant
to you, that God may have for me.
When you are dependent on God’s word you can’t
get puffed up. You didn’t do anything to become prideful for, as everything you
have you received, and did not get on your own and do not possess on your own.
1Corinthians 4:7 For who maketh thee to
differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if
thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?
I know my weaknesses and my faults and, although
I have stumbled in the past, I know what situations not to permit myself to
step into, lest I fall down. But, the Bible has, from the inside, done a work
in me. My feelings and desires about everything from alcohol to horror movies
has been changed through the word. I don’t crave, desire, enjoy or even like
certain things I used to and there are things I enjoy immensely, like hearing
and reading God’s word, that I didn’t enjoy beforetime.
If you simply read God’s word every day, for
instance, as Bishop Becke of the 16th century referring to a precursor to the
King James Bible or Dean John Burgon in the 19th century said, a half hour a
day without interruption, you will voluntarily without any act of willpower or
hope of self-improvement give up a great many things of the world and add a
great many things of God.
I suspect most Christians will not read the
Bible like that from cover to cover simply because they are afraid of what
might happen. Will they be turned from their favorite sport? A favorite vice,
like gambling? What about their idolatry? Foul language? Worship of self?
Bigotry and hatred? I challenge you to read the Bible from Genesis to
Revelation through twice each year apart from any Bible study or sermon
preparation. Read it consistently, at the same time each day. And don’t forget
to pray over it and about it, asking the Holy Spirit for help and guidance, as
prayer is essential to understanding the word of God.
Ephesians 6:17 And take the helmet of
salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying
always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto
with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Faith in God is a shield to all them who put
their trust in Him through His word. Note our Proverb and this;
Ephesians 6:15 And your feet shod with the
preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith,
wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
Read or hear God’s word every day for at least a
half an hour. Pray. Expect something to happen. It will. No more will you have
to be frustrated at your failure. Let God do the work.
As Dr. Ruckman has said, “either this Book will
keep you from your sins, or your sins will keep you from this Book.”
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