I read an article where a pastor asked a group of teens, “Why do you believe the Bible to be true?” One teen responded, “I believe the Bible to be true – because I believe – because I have faith.” The pastor then asked, “Is the Bible true for your neighbor or the kid down the street?” The same teen responded, “It would be if he believed it.” Several years ago a bumper sticker was displayed on many cars which read, “God said it – I believe it – that makes it so.”
The teen’s statements as well as the words on the bumper sticker reveal a troubling sentiment [or idea] concerning the Word of God. Many today [including some Christians] have made a foregone conclusion that God’s Word is only true if “I” believe it to be true. However, let us consider this sentiment [or idea] in light of the following passages of Scripture.
Isaiah 40:8,
“The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.”
Psalms 33:4,
“For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth.”
Psalms 119:89,160,
“For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.”
1 Peter 1:25,
“But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.”
John 17:17,
“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”
Malachi 3:6a,
“For I am the LORD, I change not.”
Hebrews 13:8,
“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”
We can conclude from the above Scriptures that God’s Word is “true for all people, at all places, and at all times.” In other words, neither God nor His Word ever changes. Restated, “God said it – that makes it so – whether I believe it or not.” Likewise, each one of us must understand that it is through the preaching of God’s Word and through the conviction of the Holy Spirit that a lost soul is drawn unto the saving grace of Jesus Christ [cf. Romans 10:13-17; John 16:7-11; John 12:32; 2 Peter 3:9]. Many will contend that salvation [that is, eternal life] may be obtained through their own merits and works. However God’s Word declares the Truth.
John 14:6 states,
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
Ephesians 2:8-9 states,
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Titus 3:5 states,
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;”
John 3:16-18 states,
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
John 3:36 states,
“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”
Now, the question must be asked, “Have you through faith believed God’s Word to be true – because it is True?” Have you through repentance and faith trusted in God’s Only Son Jesus Christ to save you? Understand that God’s Word [the Bible] will only become effective in your life when you accept it as “all being True”.
1 Thessalonians 2:13 states,
“For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.”
May we learn to trust God’s Word in our lives first in eternal life through faith and trust in Jesus Christ, and then at all places and for all times throughout our lives as born again believers.