Mt. Salem-Wyaconda Southern Baptist Association

   KNOWING THE POWER OF THE WORD OF GOD

       The Bible is God’s living word for us who are called believers. A contemporary magazine has called the Bible “foolish, repetitive, and contradictory.” Someone who writes novels – fiction, apparently – wrote the comments for this magazine. The magazine listed the Bible and 20 other books that weren’t worth reading.
       For decades, the Bible has been the best selling book of all times, bar none.
       It is sad a fiction writer can’t see the truth, and those promoting his opinion of the Bible need our prayer.
       When the apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, he noted the importance of the known scripture then in Timothy’s earlier life. His family taught him spiritual matters before Paul came into the picture.
       Paul wrote (2 Timothy 3:14-17, NKJV): 14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
       Paul urged Timothy to continue what began in his childhood – knowing the word of God. Those who came to a saving relationship through Jesus Christ early in their life, fall back on the wonderful spiritual truths learned then. Those who have come to Christ more recently can still have an appreciation for the Word of God.
       The Word of God has the cross of Jesus as the central overall theme. 1 Corinthians 1:18 says: “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God.”
       The novelist called the Bible “foolish, repetitive and contradictory.” Paul – and Christians – see God’s word most differently.  Paul reminded Timothy the prophecies and the law came from God in the first place. God’s Word helps believers establish their faith, learn of God’s disapproval of sin, gives ways to correct that which is wrong, and is a book that can be used for teaching.
       The reason God gave us the spoken – and later written – word, was for His people to be together in spirit and purpose, trained and ready for whatever lies ahead. Part of what lies ahead is to reach those who are perishing and who call the salvation available in the word of God “foolish.”

Dan Steinbeck, Moderator