September 7 Daily Devotional

What Makes the Bible Special?

Peter G. Feenstra

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16–17

Bible Reading

2 Peter 1:16–21

Devotional

What is it that makes the Bible the standard for life? Why do we use this book and not another? 2 Timothy 3:16 gives the answer! All of Scripture is God-breathed. What we have in the Bible has come from the very character of our God! The authors of the Bible did not write stories that came from their own imagination. They spoke as they were moved and inspired by the Holy Spirit. The Lord uses humans as the means through which His breath is felt. Since the Bible is God-breathed we have to receive it as authoritative and not as some passing word of man which is true today but may not necessarily be true for people living in a different time and in a different culture. The breath of God changes the very fibre of our being so that through the working of the Holy Spirit our minds are renewed.

The Bible is the book in which God reveals Himself to us. We meet Christ in this book! We hear of the cross and of the assurance of the forgiveness of sins. Our faith and love are kindled by the glorious truths that are revealed in Scripture. We taste the divine majesty of the Word and are persuaded that the Bible is God's inspired and infallible written revelation. What we learn from Scripture is important for worship, for daily life and for mission, since the aim of the sacred writings is to relate to us God’s saving purpose in Christ. The Bible does not provide salvation but points us to the Saviour.

God’s Word is always profitable! It is meant to change you and to make you wise. The Bible teaches and trains you to look away from yourself to the blessed life that is in God. As you read the Bible the first thing you are to note is the message of Jesus. If you have not seen Christ in the Scripture, go back and read it again. Learn to know and to trust Christ.

There is no salvation apart from faith in Jesus Christ. And there is no authoritative book besides the Scriptures to show you who Christ is. Let it be known to your children and to others how precious the Bible is to you. Set a good example by maintaining regular times for devotions. Do not let anything interfere or take away from those precious moments of your day when you are learning from the Word.

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