“The B-I-B-L-E! Yes, that’s the book for me! I stand alone on the Word of God, the B-I-B-L-E!”
Who remembers this old children’s Sunday School song? It was always one of my favorites and has continued to be a hit with children everywhere in the 50+ years since I sang it as a child. A simple tune with simple lyrics. Just another kiddie song? Hmmm, if you look closer at the content you might find that it actually has a very solid and sound theology about the bible. Let’s dig in:
1. WORD OF GOD – Let’s start at the end phrase. I was raised to believe in the absolute truth of the bible; that it was a holy, divine book and in fact was the very Word of God. I never questioned this, never woke up one day of my life wondering if God did indeed create the heavens and the earth just as the bible says in Genesis. It never even occurred to me that there was anyone in the world that didn’t accept the authority and validity of the bible. Oh, I came across people in school and so forth that were not Christians, did not profess Christ and therefore didn’t know the bible, had never read it or have an opinion on it one way or another. But, we considered these folks our “mission field,” our “go ye therefore” people whom we were called to present the Gospel to. Therefore, we could confidently say, “the bible says……” and it carried authority and was the foundation of our witness. Many times, it was GOOD NEWS to people who were lost and it MEANT SOMETHING! Sadly, this is not so today. We live in a culture where the bible carries very little weight in our society. And, I’m not just talking about people of no or different faith, I’m talking about CHRISTIANS AND CHURCHES all over this country who do not believe that the bible is absolute and is not relative! Are you shocked? We should all be shocked. Sometimes it’s a very subtle thing in churches where the bible is presented as a sort of moral compass and the teachings give people the option to pick and choose what they want to believe and disregard the parts they don’t care for or whatever makes them uncomfortable. This is becoming more the norm than ever before. So, settle this point right now today in your heart of hearts:
THE BIBLE IS THE WORD OF GOD AND IS ABSOLUTE TRUTH.
“Forever, O Lord, Your Word is settled in Heaven.” Psalm 119:89
2. THAT’S THE BOOK FOR ME – I am certainly in favor of reading different works of literature whether it be a book written from an author’s viewpoint, a commentary, a study book or books on theology and doctrine. But, be very careful that whatever you read completely lines up with the Word of God. And today there is so much material out there that much wisdom and discernment is needed to navigate your way through what is truth and what is someone else’s opinion if not even distorted truth. Sometimes, things SOUND very much like truth but are in fact, error with shades of truth. Very dangerous. Also, be careful in the many, many differed “translations” (and I use that term loosely) and paraphrases that are available now that claim to be literal translations form the original Hebrew or Greek. The bottom line is: if it changes WHO GOD IS or changes the content of any scripture passage, do not receive it. Also, beware of anything that depicts God as ever being in any lack. Let me illustrate. There is a worship song very popular right now that I absolutely LOVE. I truly enter into worship when I hear or sing it. However, there is one line in the song that bothers me. This line says: “You didn’t want Heaven without us.” Yes, I am overwhelmed by the grace and mercy of my Heavenly Father who chose to send His only Son, Jesus Christ to come to earth to die for me to atone for my sin, conquering death as He arose, sits on the right hand of the Father as King of Kings and Lord of Lords for all eternity, Hallelujah, and thereby has reconciled me back to Himself! Praise His Holy name! But, quite frankly, the point needs to be made that although God acted out of His great MERCY for us He was nonetheless fine with Heaven the way it was and did not ‘NEED’ anything or anyone else to complete Him. He is the Great I am, Almighty God and has no lack. Just an example. Do I throw the song out because that one lyric? NO! I just disregard it and go on with my worship. That’s discernment and sometimes that’s all that is needed, but I do suggest praying for the Holy Spirit to guide you in all that you do.
3. I STAND ALONE ON THE WORD OF GOD – This of course, relates to the number 2 point. If in doubt, stand ALONE on God’s holy Word. You can never get enough of it, never read it too much, never run out of truths, direction and anointing from it! Read it, meditate on it, soak in it, taste it, chew on it, swallow it and live in it! The Word will NOT come back void. I guarantee it!
“So shall My Word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void but it shall accomplish what I please and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” -Isaiah 55:11
So back to the kiddie song: Sometimes we need the faith of a child as Pastor was teaching in our last sermon series, to walk in truth. Yes, sometimes, LESS IS MORE! I think I’m going to sing this song all day…….
“The B-I-B-L-E! Yes, that’s the book for me! I stand alone on the Word of God, the B-I-B-L-E!”
May it be unto us Lord, according to Your Word.
Amen and Amen.
Linda Walker