In his article Does the Bible Matter in the 21st Century? author Vishal Mangalwadi lifts up the inestimable worth of God’s Word. He also notes that bad things happen when a country chooses to ignore the Bible’s wisdom. He writes, “[The US] was built by an ethic—a spirituality that taught citizens to work, earn, save, invest, and use their wealth to serve their neighbors. This biblical ethic has been replaced by secularism’s entitlement culture that teaches people that they have a right to this, that, and the other without corresponding obligations to work, save, and serve.”
That statement reflects the culture in many countries around the world. The apostle Paul, however, saw the church at Thessalonica embrace a very high view of Scripture and the biblical ethic. The people “received [God’s] message” and “accepted what we said as the very Word of God” (1 Thessalonians 2:13). By doing so, they were choosing “to please God, not people” (1 Thessalonians 2:4).
To embrace a high view of Scripture today means that you’ll be swimming upstream in a culture that doesn’t believe in it. You’ll have to accept that human praise will not be coming your way (1 Thessalonians 2:6). But as you live out what God’s Word teaches and commands, you’ll be leading a life “that God would consider worthy” (1 Thessalonians 2:12).
The Bible matters, for it’s the foundation of a life that glorifies God and possesses the life-changing wisdom we need. Paul writes, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
That’s why the Bible matters.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: 1 Samuel 17:1-31
More:
Read Revelation 3:8 and see what Jesus lifts up as the good things the church in Philadelphia had been doing.
Next:
What would your friends and family say about how much the Bible matters to you? In what ways can you use God’s Word to positively impact your culture?
sheridan voysey on March 27, 2013 at 6:39 am
Thanks for this reminder, Tom. The US, UK and Australia (the three countries I have the most experience of) once made it ‘easy’ to be a Christian because the values it generally lived by were once adopted from the Judeo-Christian ethic. those days are sadly ending. Therefore, it will probably become harder to be a Christian.
But we’re still a long way off the situation the New Testament writers and early Christians faced, so take heart! And take heart that Christ has overcome the world (John 16:33). And take heart that He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4).
tom felten on March 27, 2013 at 8:06 am
Good thoughts, Sheridan. And, yes, there is great hope found in the person and presence of Jesus in our lives. Praise Him!
marvin williams on March 28, 2013 at 8:26 am
Sheridan, welcome to the almost post Christian Era. This is a good thing, isn’t it. Following Jesus was never supposed to be easy, huh? Foxes have holes, let the dead bury their dead, take up your cross, persecuted for righteousness sake …. Doesn’t sound like a cake walk to me. Your encouragement about taking heart because Christ has overcome the world, comforts my heart. Thanks.
Gene on March 27, 2013 at 7:10 am
Tom, increasingly the Bible is tossed aside as irrelevant in today’s progressive culture and thought of as antiquated and oppressive. I agree it is like swimming upstream to embrace the teachings, but the very instructions and principles taught are actually liberating and full of life. Many of the Scriptures are just not understood –especially in contemporary culture. We need to trust in the Word and share it responsibly with our generation –through guidance and power of the Holy Spirit. Thanks for the post.
tom felten on March 27, 2013 at 8:09 am
You’re right, Gene. The power of God’s Word continues to transform lives. May we, as you said, “responsibly” share it, and may we also share it clearly, courageously, and winsomely!
mike wittmer on March 27, 2013 at 6:09 pm
This is so true, Tom. We’re quickly coming to the place where the Bible will seem entirely silly to our culture. I pray it will never seem silly to us!
marvin williams on March 28, 2013 at 8:18 am
Mike, the gospel is foolishness to some, but for us it is life and power. I pray we will be courageous in this fight for the veracity of Scripture and become fools for the sake of it.
tom felten on March 28, 2013 at 8:23 am
Mike and Marvin, yes, may God purify the Body of Christ with His Word, and may true believers live it out in His power!
Tom Kopper on March 27, 2013 at 10:29 pm
The decline of the culture, of the United States, step-by-step is written in (Romans 1: 18 – 32). Which proves scripture is always the same throught-out mankind’s history. “………. and there is nothing new under the sun.” (Ecclleciastes 1: 9).
However, ‘three’ times in (Ezekiel 18: 23, 32; 33: 11), states that God, has no pleasure in the death of the wicked. And in (1 Timothy 2: 4), states that God our Savior, “..desires that “ALL” men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.” And knowing the truth they will be set free, (John 8: 33). Today, the body-of-Christ in America, needs to have it’s heart change to that of His love. Don’t just acknowlegde this but, start praying for a turn around, another “Great Awakening”, in our country. Do you want to see your relative and neighbors go to eternal damnation or see them saved from that into a eternal-bliss?
tom felten on March 28, 2013 at 8:31 am
Good question, Tom. As we dig into Scripture, we plainly see that we’re called to present the truths of God’s Word to all (Matthew 28:18-20).
uclabennett on March 27, 2013 at 11:49 pm
I second Tom’s recommendation and want to add that we should be sure not to miss one additional step. We should seek out (and act on) opportunities to show God’s love to the lost. As Jesus taught according to Matthew 5:44, we are called to a two-prong approach. In addition to prayer, are to love our enemies. This means getting personal, building relationships, and being available to God at all times so he may use you in the lives of those around you who have yet to accept God’s gift of salvation.
tom felten on March 28, 2013 at 8:33 am
Thanks for this insight, uclabennett. It provides a fuller view of what God has called His children to live out in the world!
marvin williams on March 28, 2013 at 8:40 am
Tom, thank you for helping us to remember why the Bible matters. I read an article last weekend about Hal Tausig, the author and scholar of the book A New New Testament. Essentially, it talked about how ten other books or letters should be read along side or added to the canon of the New Testament. He argues that there must have been some sort of conspiracy why certain books were included and why others were excluded. So, to read your article on why the Bible matters, is a sobering reminder we must continue to fight for the truth of it. Blessings on you, my friend.