Looking for Truth? Go to the Book.
By Rick Warren
“Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 The Message).
The Bible holds enormous amounts of truth. And how you approach the Bible will determine how much you get out of it.
If you approach the Bible as a skeptic, it’s going to be a closed book to you. If you approach the Bible with reverence and humility, you’ll find it opening like a flower.
Approach it with an open heart and a willingness for God to teach you. If you do that, you’ll never reach the bottom of the truth God has placed in his Word.
“We also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe” (1 Thessalonians 2:13 NIV).
Notice that the Bible claims to be the Word of God. That makes it different from every other book. Why? Because through prayer, you can talk to its Author and ask questions anytime you read it.
We have a lot of books in our house. And they all are good books. But only one book is the book.
Second Timothy 3:16-17 says, “Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us” (The Message).
What does it mean for Scripture to be God-breathed? God used humans to write down the words of the Bible, but they came directly from him. That sets the Bible apart from every other book.
Those verses say the Word of God is good for four things. It shows you the truth, exposes your rebellion, corrects your mistakes, and teaches you to live God’s way. In other words, God’s Word shows you the path to walk on, when you have left the path, how to get back on the path, and how to stay on the path.
The Bible reminds you, too, that God’s Word will last: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away” (Matthew 24:35 NIV).
When you’re faced with questions of what’s true or what’s right in life, go to the Bible expecting to meet God there. You’ll find it’s a book like no other.
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This devotional © 2018 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
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