When discussing the necessity, inerrancy and reliability of the Holy Word of God, one may quickly discover the true human condition upon earth and treasure the anecdote [who is Christ] that brings forth breathe and life to the soul. Others may peruse to please their senses and sinful nature by attempting to find loopholes or escape the human condition and reality of judgment out of complete irreverence and rebellion to God. Still others will read out of a monotonous disposition, gazing over particular words, yet casually leaving others out as if to look forward to a task being complete and marking it off as if it is pleasurable to God.
God’s Word is not contingent upon man and his response. But mans condition and response is already acknowledged and expertly explained throughout all of Scripture. Sinners have not changed since the fall. We have not become better or become ‘more advanced’ as a people. We have naturally demonstrated a self-sufficient heart, mind and rule that contributes to the infinite corruption of the soul. “Then the serpent said to the woman, ‘You will not surely die’” [Genesis 3:4]. Oh how many sinners are convinced every day that they will ‘not surely die!’ We are convinced by our deceitfulness of heart and Satan himself that we may be ‘just like God [v.5]’ if we simply disobey God. Our disobedience and sin results in separation, philosophy, self-governance and ultimately death [Genesis 2:17]. Therefore, God has decreed His Word to be the only foundation for knowledge, truth and life by portraying the nature and results of the human condition [namely, our fallen nature caused by sin resulting separation from God] through the revelation of the Holy Spirit. The greatest ordinance in the eternal realm is not the fall of man or presentation of the law to demonstrate man’s fallen nature, but it is in the perfect display and shining forth of the Father’s glory in the coming forth of His Son, Jesus Christ and His redeeming power; who is also The Word of God.
“Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, to which I was appointed a preacher, and apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know who I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.”
2 Timothy1:8-12
The apostle displayed the truth of the Scriptures not only with the words of Scripture, but with his very life. Paul considered himself a prisoner of Christ. He was no longer a slave to his flesh, carnal thinking and death, but a slave to God [Romans 6:16]. Being a ‘slave to God’ or a ‘prisoner of Christ’ is a way of he spoke in human terms that we are now slaves of righteousness or holiness [v.19]. This is the contrary of our nature. Our nature represents being slaves of sin, all sorts of doctrine and death. So, Paul is explaining that he is no longer a prisoner of death but of life. He is no longer a prisoner of Satan, but of Jesus Christ, ‘who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.’ Although he was in literal chains as a prisoner [2 Tim.1:16, 2:9], he publicly demonstrated that he was a prisoner of truth and of sound doctrine by being a prisoner of Christ. He also spoke of the eternality of God’s word that never passes away. For, ‘His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,’ is the source of truth.
“Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel, for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained.”
2 Timothy 2:9
So is the word of God to those who have been writ by the Holy Spirit. It leads and guides us into all truth, exposing darkness along the way [Ephesians 5:11]. It reminds us constantly that we are not indeed self-sufficient creatures but utterly dependant on the very words of God to be holy and righteous. God’s word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path [Psalm 119:105]. Since we are like sheep that have gone astray, susceptible to the utmost evil and corruption, the precepts written and illuminated in God’s word are the perfect enlightenment to shine light upon our natural darkness.
“Oh, how I love Your Law!
It is my meditation all the day.
You, through Your commandments,
Make me wiser than my enemies;
For they are ever with me.
I have more understanding than all
My teachers,
For Your testimonies are my meditation.
I understand more than the ancients,
Because I keep Your precepts.
I have restrained my feet from every
evil way,
That I may keep your word.
I have not departed from Your
Judgments,
For you Yourself have taught me.How sweet are Your words to my taste,
Sweeter than honey to my mouth!
Through Your precepts I get understanding;
Therefore I hate every false way.
Psalm 119:97-104
The word of God is not simply a resource, but it is life itself [John 1, Revelation 19:13]. It is also a judge [2 Timothy 4:1]. To disregard the rule and authority of Scripture is to blaspheme the Judge as well as the source of all life. Children of God rest in the promises of God revealed in His word. They must meditate upon the promises and precepts daily in order to grow and understand their Creator intimately. To know God and to love Him is to commune with Him in the reading His Word by the illumination of the Holy Spirit. If His word is truly a light to our paths, then we are learning evermore the discern good from evil and the presence of sin in the process of sanctification. We read the bible because it is the revelation of God in human terms to remind us of our human condition, the nature of evil, judgment, our utter nakedness and helplessness before a Holy God and the Good News of redemption through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
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