The Bible God’s Inspired Word

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«We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in your hearts: knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man; but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.» 2 Peter 1:19-21.

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The Lord has one path of safety for His people, and that is the path of obedience to His word. That word is given to us as our guide. God is its Author; but the Scriptures were written by human hands, and they bear marks of the individuality of the different writers. In every book of the Bible, the stamp of the mind and character of the writer is manifest. And this is just as God designed it should be. He does nothing in the plan of redemption without human co-operation.

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Christ has the right and power to lay all human agencies and influences under tribute in His work for humanity. He uses human instrumentalities, and He does not destroy the individuality of His servants. He puts the Holy Spirit upon them, and shuts them in with Himself, and they have the mind of Christ, and become co-workers with him. He presents before their minds figures and illustrations with which they are familiar, to make plain the truth He wishes them to communicate, and the Holy Spirit assists them in the use of these figures and illustrations.

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The Harmony of Truth. The Bible is God’s word, and is for His people. It was communicated by men; but «they spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.» It was given at different periods, and the men called to express the divine will and diffuse the light of truth, were chosen from all stations, from the humblest to the most exalted. The wonderful thing about it is the harmony there is in the divine word, coming to us, as it does, through these different channels and such widely separated periods. Each wrote in his own natural style, giving utterance, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to his own personal impressions, relating the events and scenes opened before him, or made to pass before his eyes; yet link is connected with link in the chain of precious truth given us in the word of God. The plan of redemption, and the will and character of God, are revealed to meet the necessities of man in every age; for these human instrumentalities were under divine control, and are not false witnesses of what they saw and heard.

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The Bible Intelligible. The Bible is written in language that the humblest mind may comprehend; for it is written for the people, and the Lord reveals His truth according to their necessities and their comprehension. Through His servants, the truth is made so plain by pen and voice that none need call for greater evidence than has been given. If this evidence is rejected, any additional evidence would not convince the mind, change the sentiments, and convert the will, were it possible to make it fifty-fold stronger. The declaration to one who wished that a messenger should be sent from the dead to warn his brethren, was, «If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.»

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When the truth is brought before the mind, the Lord impresses the heart. An instance of this, and of the result of rejecting these divine impressions, is recorded by Luke. Christ, preaching at Nazareth, announced Himself as the Anointed One. The Spirit of God accompanied His utterances, and convicted hearts of their truth. All bore witness to the gracious words that fell from His lips. But temptations of Satan’s own devising came in, and the people, naturally unbelieving, were readily overcome. They were borne on in their skepticism until they were ready for violence and murder at the thought of the assumption of Jesus; and if an angel of God had not been by His side, they would have hurled Him headlong over the precipice.

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Belief not Constrained. To those who are conscientious doers of the word, it is life and spirit, a vital, quickening power; but if men misinterpret it, if they misstate it through their own perverted heart and clouded understanding, it becomes to them a stumbling-block, and not only to them, but to all with whom they have influence. Those who train their minds to cavil and criticise will have opportunity afforded them to develop their true mould of character, just as Satan was given room to develop the crookedness of his policy. All the heavenly intelligences all the universe of God, are able in each case to decide in regard to the development of character. They can tell who may safely be permitted to enter the portals of bliss, and who, by their disloyalty to God, would endanger the peace of heaven. God could work a miracle in every word spoken through His Spirit; but this is not His plan. He gives evidence, but leaves the will free. —

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The Word of God Above Human Criticism. In giving the word, «holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.» The word was not given at the option of men, and the use to be made of it is not left to their option. Men may not dissect or pronounce upon, wrest or misinterpret, take from or cast aside, any portion of that word according to their own judgment. Although its compilation, preservation, and transmission have been committed to men, it is wholly divine in its origin and in the thoughts expressed. It may not be demerited and pronounced upon by finite minds, because of its transmission through human agents.

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It is wonderful what an amount of evidence is required on the side of truth by the mind trained to doubt, and what weak, thread-like suppositions will be readily fastened upon to support skepticism. In the language of the apostle Paul it might be asked, O skeptic, «who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth?» The interpretation often heard that «All scripture given by inspiration of God,» means that some Scripture is not inspired, is a very slender peg to hang a doubt upon. The apostle means simply, «I present to you the Living Oracles, the Scriptures, all given by inspiration of God, and profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.'» Then comes the charge to Timothy: «Preach the word.» «And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.»

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Human Wisdom Insufficient. But let no man think himself sufficient for this work in his own wisdom. Men, whatever their position or calling, when they trust in their own wisdom alone, make very uncertain paths; they stumble and fall. But the Holy Spirit will guide the sincere seeker after truth, and divine wisdom combined with human capability will enable the mind to grasp its eternal principles. Christ has said, «Without Me ye can do nothing.» But united to Him, we behold «the glory of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.» We are made perfect in Christ Jesus, and the wants and longings of the soul are fully met.

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A Book to be Studied. The word of God is rich in precious gems of truth. It contains everything to make a man perfect, and those who do the will of God shall know of the doctrine. The Bible will not be understood in all its bearings by any single mind; it is a mine of truth that can never be exhausted. One man, guided by the Spirit that indited the word, will discern mysteries that baffle another, and the latter will be lead to see beauty and harmony where before there had been perplexity, and perhaps doubt.

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There are many who walk in darkness, with the word, the light, the truth, in their hands. They have false ideas of God; therefore they do not seek Him in the right way. They are not in a position to discern spiritual things. They cannot without a conversion appreciate the difference between the human and the divine; and they place a larger estimate upon the human, because it accords with their own natural hearts.

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Unbelief in the Christian World. Many who enter the work of the ministry as teachers of the word of God, are naturally skeptics. The very truth they preach is not free from uncertainties. They will never be rooted and grounded in the truth-they will never have any but a wavering and imperfect faith-until they throw away their unbelief, and accept the Bible as God’s inspired word.

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There are professed Christians who read the Bible without a fine perception of the gems they are handling. There are portions of Scripture that they are not sure are inspired, and they think that in God’s word there are errors and human reasoning. With the lamp of life in their very hands, they stumble. They interpret the Scriptures to suit themselves; they cannot appreciate the wisdom of God, and their own human wisdom is the light that guides them.

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Justification by Works Practical Unbelief. Some seek earnestly to find something to sustain the doctrine of justification through the works of the law, and wander in a tangle of condemnation, bitterness, and constant uncertainty. They fail to receive the light which God has given them, and their recompense is darkness. The search which they commenced in unbelief they finish with a deeper and more settled unbelief. Is there any light, and peace, and faith, and assurance, and victory for them while taking this course?

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Reader, if you palsy the force of God’s appeals to you by your stubbornness and resistance, the truth is no truth to you. It has lost its power to do for you the work that the Lord designed it should do; and your own will, your own lusts-the world, the flesh, and the devil-will overpower you. At times you may walk in the sparks of your own kindling, and flatter yourself that you are all light in the Lord; but the word of the Lord is, «Ye shall lie down in sorrow,» and it is sure to be fulfilled.

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Lessons from History. Science and history cannot of themselves make men wise unto salvation; but through the aid of the Holy Spirit, which, in answer to prayer, will be given to guide into all truth, science and history may be made use of as a clear, definite light, blending with that of the written, inspired word. There are lessons to be learned from the history of the past; and attention is called to these, that all may understand that God works on the same lines now that He ever has done. His hand is seen in His work and among the nations now, just the same as it has been ever since the gospel was first proclaimed to Adam in Eden.

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There are periods which are turning points in the history of nations and of the church. In the providence of God, when these different crises arrive, the light for that time is given. If it is received, there is spiritual progress; if it is rejected, spiritual declension and shipwreck follow. The Lord in His word has opened up the aggressive work of the gospel as it has been carried on in the past, and will be in the future, even to the closing conflict, when Satanic agencies will make their last wonderful movement. From that word we understand that the forces are now at work that will usher in the last great conflict between good and evil-between Satan, the prince of darkness, and Christ, the Prince of life. But the coming triumph for the men who love and fear God is as sure as that His throne is established in the heavens.

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Divine Power in the Word. There is divine power in the revelation of God. But God works in His own way. He does not design that man shall be overpowered by a light and divinity that would compel belief. Paul was taken to the third heaven, and he heard things which it was not lawful for human lips to utter. Could men have understood the language of heavenly mysteries had it been spoken through Paul?-No; therefore these things were to be left unsaid. But the things he saw and heard were fixed in Paul’s memory as if «graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock forever.» They were woven into his entire experience, and were an inspiration to him, giving him power in his work for God.

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Christ the Living Word. The Lord Jesus Christ, when He took humanity upon Him, was not for this reason less perfect. He came in this lowly garb that humanity might reach humanity. He hungered, He thirsted, He was weary and needed rest, He wept tears of sadness, He was «in all points tempted like as we are;» yet He was the divine Son of God. The human and the divine were blended, and those who humbly seek God through Him will be made partakers of the divine nature.

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Some recognized Christ as the Son of God, and received His words. They opened their hearts to Him, and He entered in and abode with them, and they were filled with courage, hope, and joy. But there were some who grieved Him by their unbelief and hardness of heart. These He faithfully warned and rebuked. He said unto them, «Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites.» «Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do.» Some would say, He is excited, harsh, severe; but was He? Was it not necessary to rebuke and condemn those, who, while they entered not in themselves, «shut up the kingdom of heaven against men»?

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The Sword of the Spirit. Paul says of the written word that it also is «quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.» It convinces the reason, strikes directly home to the conscience, and works effectually in the heart that is not barricaded against the truth. For it is the word of God, of whom it is said, «Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight; but all things are opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.»

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A Preparation Necessary. The soil of the heart must be mellowed and prepared for the sowing of the gospel seed. The apostle says of Israel, «The word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.» The most precious truth may be presented in the demonstration and power of the Spirit; but if it is resisted, instead of being cherished, it will only harden the heart, and every ray of light will go out in darkness.

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The Lord has warnings and reproofs for His people, that they may not, by their unbelief, imperil their own souls or the souls of others. But the natural heart is not inclined to yield to these warnings, because self struggles for the mastery. There is an inclination to pick flaws. This is done carefully at first, the doubter not daring to reject; but if he continues in this course, he will at length handle sacred things as he would the common, and the word of God to him in counsel and reproof is made void. The word cannot do its office work in the unbelieving heart.

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The Word Accepted. Some there are who accept the word of God with its reproofs and corrections. They receive it «not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh» in them that believe, and they rejoice in the light, and yield in their lives the peaceable fruits of righteousness. To these God gives abundant blessings. And His treasures of truth, of light, and of grace are placed in earthen vessels, not to remain there stagnant, but to be poured out to the world in all their richness and heavenly fragrance.

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Those who are in positions of trust hold in their hands the most sacred talents to be used in the interests of the people of God. These are heavenly endowments, to be retained only as they are used in speech and by pen, God diffusing to them, as they constantly diffuse to others.

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Search the Scriptures. «And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent.» What necessity is there for men and women who profess godliness to understand the Holy Scriptures. It is by this means that they are nurtured in sound doctrine, and become rooted and grounded in the truth, established in the knowledge of Jesus Christ. But the traditions and customs of men must not be mingled with the sacred truths of revelation. To those who were doing this Christ said, «Full well ye reject the commandments of God, that ye may keep your own traditions.» And this is as true now as it was when Christ was on earth, and was rejected and crucified.

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«Search the Scriptures.» Study, pray, and believe. Take up the Bible without prejudice, and in a humble, teachable spirit, and, with the understanding open to the impressions of the Spirit of God, let its convincing power mould the life and conscience. To-day the voice from Calvary is speaking in tones of mercy to every soul. May all see that their only hope is to hear, to receive, and to rejoice in the truth which is the power of God unto salvation to all who believe. —