Core value 2: Bible

It has been said that the Bible is the most published, but least read book in history.  It certainly is the most published.  As of 2005, at least one book of the Bible has been translated into 2,400. The Bible is available in whole or in part to some 98 percent of the world’s population in a language in which they are fluent.  Wouldn’t it be tragic, though, if it really was the least read?  It would tragic for so many people to squander a treasure under their nose.

We continue our reflection in these newsletters, on our Core Biblical Values.  Our second is on the Bible:

All Scripture is God-breathed. God continues to reveal himself powerfully, by his Spirit, through his Word, the Bible. We are committed to the preaching, teaching and public reading of Scripture, with careful application. We are committed to understanding the Bible and humbly responding to it in obedience and faith. (2 Tim 3:16-17)

We value the Bible because of what it is: the living word of God.  There is no other book in existence like the Bible.  Listening to it, we don’t hear the passing fads of mere mortals – but the unchanging mind of the King of Kings.  The more you look into other books, the more you find defects.  The longer you study the Bible, you more you understand its perfections.  Only in the Bible can we find everything necessary for salvation.  All the education in the world can’t save a person from hell, unless we know the truths of Scripture.  One woman might have immense learning, & yet never be saved.  Another might be largely ignorant & yet be saved.  It all swings on knowing the voice of God.  John Newton captured its value saying some books were copper books, some were silver, a few were gold – but the Bible alone was like a book made up of bank-notes.  No book can do so much for every one who reads it with an open heart as the Bible.  As someone put it:

The Bible applied to the heart by the Holy Spirit, “is the grand instrument by which souls are first converted to God.” [and] “the chief means by which men are built up and strengthened in the faith,” after their conversion. […] Is he weary in soul? It can awaken him.  Is he mourning? It can comfort him.  Is he erring? It can restore him.  Is he weak? It can make him strong.  Is he in the company of the unbeliever? It can keep him from evil.  Is he alone? It can talk with him.

We value the Bible because it is the living Word of God.  And that shapes how we are committed to proclaiming & approaching it: ‘humbly responding to it in obedience and faith’.  In a church as large as ours, it is fair to say that some of us here can read, do own a copy, but never read the Bible at all.  If that is you, take heed of the Bishop of Liverpool’s warning:
You are in danger of losing your soul.You are in danger, because “your neglected Bible is plain evidence that you do not love God.” The health of a man’s body may generally be known by his appetite. The health of a man’s soul may be known by his treatment of the Bible. Now you are manifestly living with a serious disease. Will you not repent?

But in a church this large we will have many for whom the word is a delight.  As a poor Christian woman once said to an unbeliever, “I am no scholar. I cannot argue like you. But I know that honey is honey, because it leaves a sweet taste in my mouth. And I know the Bible to be God’s book, because of the taste it leaves in my heart.” If that is you, you will know the value of reading it more & more to have it deeply rooted in your memory.  You know the value of humble submission to it in times of temptation & its comfort in times of trial.  You know the value of sharing it with friends & family.  You that it is far more than a popular work – but a treasure to delight in!

In Him,
Mark Smith