But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? (Romans 10:14)
The Bible is the most widely read, most fiercely debated, and most often quoted book in history. Over 100 million copies are sold each year. 50 copies are sold every minute. The Bible’s complexity can boggle great minds, and yet it’s simplicity can be understood by a child.
Moses was the first person to write portions of scripture while John, one of Jesus’ original 12 disciples, was the last. Other well known people who wrote The Bible include: Daniel, Peter, Paul, Jonah, Isaiah, Solomon and David.
All told, 40 authors wrote The Bible, over a period of 1,500 years. Those who wrote The Bible lived at different times, some separated by hundreds of years. Some writers were businessmen or traders; others were shepherds, fishermen, soldiers, physicians, preachers, kings—human beings from all walks of life.
Why have the writings of such a diverse group of authors, had such a far-reaching impact and mattered so much to so many throughout history? What relevance does The Bible have for our lives today?
Well, for those who believe what lies within The Bible, there’s one answer that covers it all; The Bible writer’s wrote as they were inspired by the Holy Spirit. In essence The Bible are God’s very own words. What could be more impactful and relevant than the words of God—The one true God that created everything?
The Apostle Peter wrote: “Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:20-21)
The Apostle Paul wrote:“All scriptures is inspired by God” (2 Timothy 3:16)
Clearly these are bold assertions. The Bible declares itself to be the very words of God. God inspired, God breathed… The Holy Spirit revealed to the prophets, the messages of Scripture. The writer’s of The Bible wrote not according to their own will or whim, but only as they were moved, controlled, or inspired by the Spirit of God. The Bible is God’s own book in His own words.
Whoa, whoa, whoa, back up the bus… did I get that right?… Did I just write; “You are to believe The Bible is God’s words, because the words written in it tell you so?”
So, the all time best selling book in history, the one that hundreds of millions of people are betting their lives on…the very book that’s been talked about more than anything else in the history of the world, is true because the words inside say so? What…Did I get that right?
Yes. I got it right and you better believe it, because that’s how God rolls. Like it or leave it, get right or get left. Don’t back up the bus. Don’t pause for a moment. Believe, because The Bible tells you so!
Wow, no wonder there are so many non-believers. You think God would’ve had a better plan. Something that you could really sink your teeth into, something more concrete. Not just some word’s in a book saying it’s so…maybe an event or moment in time that could make it seem real and tangibly true.
Well, I must regress, there was that weekend back in 33. That time Jesus died on The Cross, and then rose from the grave… The gang is locked in the hideout, shaken to their very core…Jesus breezes into the room and instantly all the prophesies ring true. Their minds open wide as all He has taught, now makes total sense.
Jesus’ heavy lifting is done and now with the proof of His resurrection, they finally obtain the belief, Jesus had been telling them they needed. That weekend’s work was the juice in God’s plan. But for us today, there’s still much fruit to be squeezed. In our lives, His work cannot be complete unless we also believe and have faith in all He’s provided, and all that He’s done.
So, are we supposed to believe that what men wrote in The Bible, is inspired by God because His Son nailed to a cross wouldn’t stay down…because a resurrected Jesus made a difference and influenced all that they wrote? Some of the words in The Bible were written hundreds of years before that weekend occurred. Are those words about Jesus also?
Yes, we are! And Yes they are! God expects us to believe. Even though most of us are so naive, that we would climb over a glass wall to see what’s on the other side. God created us to be wise. He gave us that ability, in the very beginning, with Jesus by His side.
Belief is a funny thing. It comes easily for some and never for others. One has got to get on the right side of this thing. If not, where could it lead? Maybe you’ll be your neighbor’s cat in the next life…maybe you’ll be nothing at all…maybe this is all you’ll ever be. Or maybe you’ll spend eternity in Hell… ouch, that’s gonna burn.
Yes, belief is a funny thing. Not ha-ha funny, but funny to understand. How do you believe in something you can’t see? Something that to many, doesn’t make sense? Do you simply believe because someone told you to, or because you’re scared of what might happen if you don’t? Yes, for most, to belive in God, is very strange.
Every person either accepts or rejects God. Why do some reject him? What reasonable excuse do they have for not believing in God? Why is it strange for them to believe? God has revealed what He’s like, in and through His creation. If you can simply take what is familiar to you: the creation you see everywhere you look, and the invisible qualities of the divine nature you feel. Then use your reason to comprehend that you did not create these thing yourself, then belief that someone or something else did, is no longer strange, it’s obvious.
They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. 20 For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. (Romans 1:19-20)
Paul says that God has revealed himself plainly in creation to all people. Yet, people reject even this basic knowledge of a supreme creator. Both logic and common sense reveal cause and effect at work in nature, so a natural question to ask would be: “What is the cause behind all that we see?”
In addition, people have an inner sense of what God requires; they just choose to ignore it. If people suppress God’s evidence in order to live their own way, they have no excuse. They know the truth, and they will have to endure the consequences of ignoring it: A neighbor’s cat… nothing at all… eternity in hell. The choice to believe or not, is a big deal. And if the definition of eternity is accurate, then you’re gonna have to live with the consequences of that choice for a very long time.
But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? (Romans 10:14)
Belief in The Bible starts with your belief in creation. God as the Creator. God has revealed himself plainly in His creation. He has also revealed himself to us through the author’s who wrote The Bible. They took the Word directly from His Spirit and related what they saw and heard for us to learn and believe. The Cross wasn’t just about our eternal salvation. It also gave us tangible events and actions, that reinforce our belief in God, and His words in The Bible.
Jesus did the labor of God’s plan that spring weekend in 33, now it’s time to pay the bill… the barter is set; And then Jesus told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. 16 Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned.” (Mark:16:15-16)
The resurrection is vitally important for many reasons. Jesus kept His promise and rose from the dead. So, we can also believe that He will keep all His other promises.
Do as Jesus did. Make a promise to your Father and follow through. Use God’s words in The Bible to reinforce your beliefs, then take those beliefs and help others build theirs.
Always remember that God wants everybody to be saved. But also understand, that many don’t believe that He even exists.
God’s plan is still in the works. The author’s of The Bible did their part over 2000 years ago, now it’s time for us to do ours.
Obey what you believe—by sharing what you believe—to help others believe.
Yes, believe because The Bible tells you so. And get to work, others need to believe also.
“I tell you the Truth”