Have you ever met a “Christian” that does not believe that the Bible is the Word of God? I find it amazing that across America there are many different views on what people believe that the Bible is. According to the 2021 State of the Bible survey, conducted by Barna Group in partnership with the American Bible Society (ABS) for American adults, approximately one-quarter (26%) believe that the Bible is the actual word of God. One in eight (13%) indicates the Bible is just another book that contains stories and advice. One in 10 (9%) holds the view that the Bible is not inspired by God, but rather reveals the writers’ understanding of the principles of God. Some Americans (10%) take a Bible Hostile stance, believing the Bible was written to control or manipulate people.
The question we, as Christians must ask ourselves is not simply whether we believe the Bible, but whether we are willing to allow the Bible to shape our beliefs, correct our behaviors, and change us into someone who is more like Jesus. Faith in Christ cannot be separated from a willingness to hear His Word, receive His truth, and surrender our lives to what God has spoken. The Word of God was never given merely to inform us; it was given to transform us, to teach us how to walk faithfully with the Lord in every area of our lives.
I have had many conversations over the years with others who profess Jesus as Lord and who are contrary about a specific verse, and they say, “that is all well and good but”, or “that for was then, it is not relevant today”. For some, they simply don’t agree with the Bible, or they refuse to be obedient to the words written in it for many different reasons. Yet among the most common reasons are pride and arrogance.
There are many that say they do not understand what the Bible says and put it down to never pick it again because they are not convicted or conflicted enough to do their due diligence to seek truth. We are all at different places in our races, and yet we all have the same instruction book.
The Bible puts us in our place, it shows us that we are sinners saved by grace, and so much more. The most important thing that I have come to understand is that the Bible is my Document of Authority over every aspect of my life.
It is written in 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed [given by divine inspiration] and is profitable for instruction, for conviction [of sin], for correction [of error and restoration to obedience], for training in righteousness [learning to live in conformity to God’s will, both publicly and privately—behaving honorably with personal integrity and moral courage]; 17 so that the man of God may be complete and proficient, outfitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.
The Scriptures are only profitable if the believer reads the words with the desire to be obedient to the words written in them. Not knowing the truth doesn’t make you ignorant, it’s not wanting to know the truth that does.
I like what Spurgeon said, “I am the messenger. I tell you the Master’s message; if you do not like the message quarrel with the Bible, not with me; so long as I have Scripture on my side I will dare and defy you to do anything against me.”
As a Pastor, I believe that it is my responsibility to help grow and mature disciples so that they can help grow and mature other disciples. The Church has changed from a body of believers following the directions of the Lord Jesus to a place to entertain those who believe they are saved. In many churches it has become more of a stage show with a concert upfront and a Tedtalk to encourage others to help fill the building and not so much the kingdom.
The body of Christ is called to train disciples to glorify God and instruct them on how to reach the lost in the world around them. It is not about how many people can be packed into an auditorium to hear a message and then go about their business without having an impactful change. Some come to check a box for attendance on Sunday and then live like the rest of the world Monday thru Saturday. Something tends to happen between the altar and the door. Church must be about how many people we can get into the body of Christ and grow the kingdom and we can only do this by helping others have security and confidence in the word of truth.
That means we must be willing to open the Word even when it challenges our opinions, exposes our sin, or calls us to make changes we would rather avoid. We must not only read Scripture for encouragement, but also receive its correction, allowing the Holy Spirit to shape our character, our relationships, our decisions, and our witness. And as we grow in obedience, we become better equipped to encourage others who are still learning, remembering that discipleship is not about perfection but about faithfully following Jesus together.
There is a place in the body of Christ for every person who is willing to come to Jesus, learn His Word, and grow in His grace. Wherever you are in your race today, you do not have to walk it alone; there are brothers and sisters who can walk beside you, encourage you, and help you keep your eyes fixed on Christ. There is hope for the one who has wandered, grace for the one who has stumbled, and a place at the table for everyone who sincerely desires to follow the One True King.
Dear hearers, I pray that you realize that I love you enough to tell you the truth, and I care about you enough not to leave you where you are. May the grace and peace of the Lord Jesus be with you all to strengthen and invigorate you to get into the word so that the word may get into you. I urge you to be willing to pursue the work of the Gospel whatever the cost. Stand strong in the fight, you are not alone, remember, we are the army of the Most High, the One True King by His grace.
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My BeLoved, may the grace and peace of the Lord Jesus, the love of God the Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen. In Christ Love, douglas. HE>i. pastord.blog
Special Note: I want to thank those who read what I write and are encouraged to support the ministry God has entrusted to me either one time or have decided to give on a monthly basis. I am encouraged to see certain verses playing out before my eyes like what is written in *Philippians 4:16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.*
To any who are interested, please feel free to reach out to me with prayer requests, questions, encouragement, or for information on how to come alongside me with financial support at pastord.blog@gmail.com or I do have a Zelle account associated with my phone number, 5202720387 last name Blaser. Thank you my Beloved for your ongoing prayers and support.
