What Do You Believe about the Bible?
“The Word of the Lord endures forever.” 1 Peter 1:25
Do you believe in the Bible? What does believing in something really mean anyway?
A huge crowd was watching the famous tightrope walker, Blondin, cross Niagara Falls one day in 1860. He crossed it numerous times – a 1,000 foot trip, 160 feet above the raging waters. He asked the crowd if they believed he could take one person across. All agreed.
Then he approached one man and asked him to get on his back and go with him. The man refused. You see, mental assent or even verbal assent is not real belief. Belief is followed by actions! So now let me ask you, do you really believe in the Bible?
Some people believe the Bible is merely a history book. Others view it as something to give guidance. Even others think it is a nice series of short stories, more or less unrelated.
Regardless of how you view the Bible, let me give you some facts about it that you might or might not know. The Bible is actually composed of 66 books containing 1,189 chapters and over 783,000 words. Did you know that? Well if you did, I bet you didn’t know that Ezra 7:21 contains all the letters of the alphabet except “j”.
One of the amazing things about this book is that even with 40 authors writing over 783,000 words over a span of 1800 years, it is internally consistent. It all matches up! There is great evidence proving its authenticity.
Secular history has found no errors whatsoever. Ancient manuscripts have been found and documented. The Bible has profound influence around the world; it changes people who accept it. It is perfection; it never has been found to be wrong. It is adaptable and applicable to all. I don’t know of another book that delivers all of that.
George Washington said, “It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible.” Charles Dickens believed “The New Testament is the very best book that ever was or ever will be known in the world.” Even Abraham Lincoln had this to say. “I believe the Bible is the best gift God has ever given to man. All the good from the Savior of the world is communicated to us through this book.”
But what about you? What do you say it is? A history book? A nice devotional? Something you just read when you are at camp? Is it something you just carry with you on Sundays? Or do you believe in the Bible in such a way that your actions follow that belief?
At the end of your life, the answer will be evident. But don’t wait until then! If you aren’t sure… read it! Challenge it. And be ready for this Book to change your life.