Notes And Quotes For Today:
Is Your Bible Really The Word of God? – VII
Concluding Remarks
(The Bible – What A Book!)
“…For Thou has magnified thy Word above all thy name.” Psalm 138:2
- The Bible reveals the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners and the happiness of believers. Its teachings are holy, its instructions are binding, its histories are accurate and its decisions are unchangeable and its truth stands forever. Here Heaven is opened and the gates of hell disclosed. Christ is its Grand Subject, our good its design and the glory of God its end. Read it to be wise and believe it to be safe. It contains light to guide you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It should fill the memory, rule the heart and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently and prayerfully.
As we ponder our KJB we remember that Christ is:
- The source of this divine treasure – “Let the words of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Colossians 3:16
- The Substance of this divine text – “…. and beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.” Luke 24:27
- The Subject of its dominated truths – “ search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are thy which testify of me.” John 5:39
Our Savior’s imprint is stamped on every page of its contents. From Genesis 1 to Revelation 22, He is the central person, message, and theme. When we diligently search our KJB’s contents with a Christ- centered perspective, we can find Him on every page and related to every event in Scripture. His identification stamped on every book, His portrait silhouetted in every passage, His indentation stamped on every phrase, and His input superintending every word. Yes, Christ is the crux of our KJB, the core of our KJB and the Centre of it!!
Although some are probably not aware of it and others who are would not admit it, that most Fundamentalists have been sold a bill of goods. Without giving too much thought to the subject they have swallowed the “ oldest and best manuscripts” slogan. Most Bible schools and Bible college with which we are familiar use the Greek text of Westcott and Hort or one based upon it. Although years ago many of them opposed the Revised Standard Version, an increasing number are apparently finding the RSV and other versions to be of some value. One of the dangers in Christen Education is educators, though Christians, do not want to be thought of as un- scholarly or out of touch with the time. Many of them want everyone to think that they have just as much to offer as the world and and that they are in the mainstream of modern thought.
We can not understand why such philosophy is necessary. For the child of God and the faithful Christian institutions need to take a back seat to no one. Beloved, we don’t have to keep up with the world, for we are already far and ahead of it. There are once sound churches and pastors who now use some of these modern versions publicly; and have place a modern perversion in the pew for the people to use. We have no doubt that ofttimes this sort of thing is done in order to be different or up-to-date. One of the great problems in our churches today is this catering to the old carnal nature of man. In order to please him and keep him coming to church, the services are turned into something bordering on a small circus. On might easily get the impression in certain places, that God has commissioned us to entertain the sheep instead of feed them. It is little wonder that the average believer is undernourished and terribly confused.
And if pastors will be honest, they must admit that it all begins and ends with them. They (believers) will be no stronger than they (their pastors) make them, no healthier than the food they give them. We had better pauses a moment to rescind ourselves of the great responsibility which God has given to us, and for which He will hold us accountable. When the trumpet gives an uncertain sound surely the people will be confused and then scattered. In Jeremiah’s day God said, “ many pastors have destroyed my vineyard…”
Having and maintaining the true Scriptures is the task of every believer. More than ever, laymen need to be informed and then take a stand. This is no more trifle and every earnest Christian should search out the truth an then make his voice heard. Silence will only lead to that proverbial situation of locking the barn after the horse has been stolen. It is neither wise nor loving to be quiet while men steal the very Word of God from us! Brethren, if there ever was a day to stand up and be counted, this is the day. We are not commissioned to preach about the Word nor to proclaim something that resembles the Word. We have been called and sent forth by God Himself to declare His Word – “ Thus saith the LORD…..”
Let us pay a strict attention to a command from the Lord Himself: “ I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ , who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; preach the Word; be instant in season and out of season: reprove, rebuke exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears, and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables, but watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, , do the work of an evangelist. Make full proof of thy ministry.” 2nd Timothy 4:1-5
The true servant of God not only loves God but also hates evil. It is no good to plead ignorance once all is lost. Think of it; what Bible shall we leave to the next generation of believers? To our children? Will it really be the Word of God? It is up to everyone of us believers. Someone has said, that, “ more harm is done in the world by weak men than by wicked men.” In all probability that is true for ofttimes wicked men might be thwarted if only good men had taken their proper stand. May God Himself make us valiant for the Lord Jesus Christ and His precious Word.
Beloved, The Bible stands alone. There is nothing like it in the wide world of literature; and if anything further were needed to prove that the book which we call “ The Bible” is in every deed, the living and eternal Word of God, it may be found in the ceaseless efforts of the devil to prove that it is not. “Throughout the Christian era the hammers of destructive criticism have pounded fiercely upon the anvil of God’s infallible Word. The result? Not a single dent has appeared in the anvil, but the hammers have been dashed to pieces on the unyielding Word of Truth.” selected.
Congratulations – KJB – upon your recent 400 birthday anniversary., with several more years occurring since that historic date. Via your use, millions of souls have been saved, multitude of home blessed, thousands of churches established and countless number of believers edified in the faith. We (at the Peoples Gospel Hour) promise not to trash you for some other unreliable translation, as many of your now professing honorees do. You are the first and last English translation we ever want to obey and use.
May God help us!!
From The Peoples Gospel Hour Staff