Kent Bailey
Throughout the course of life we come to both discover and appreciate various things that are relevant, i.e, significant and have demonstrable bearing upon crucial issues at hand. When we consider the complexities of life we will find that the scriptures are relevant in all aspects of society.
Jeremiah, the prophet of God, affirmed a universal and eternal truth when he stated, “O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps (Jer. 10:23). Jeremiah, by divine inspiration, acknowledges our need for God and His direction to guide our paths. Such is indicative of our need for special revelation from God. We have this provided in the scriptures. That was true in Old Testament revelation as well as such is the case today in the New Testament of Christ—God’s final revelation unto all accountable humanity.
Paul, the apostle of Christ wrote: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is 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 (2 Tim. 3:16-17). Because the scriptures are plenary and verbally inspired they are God-breathed. They are thus all sufficient for doctrine, for correction, for encouragement, and for instruction in righteousness—God’s personal righteousness, God’s system of making accountable humanity righteous by means of the gospel, and also God’s standard in describing the fact that He requires us to live righteous lives. The scriptures will equip us in every area of life for that which God desires us to become.
The Psalmist, David underscored the import of the relevancy of God’s divine revelation when he wrote: “O Lord, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure” (Psa. 6:1). A “chastening in anger” is reference to God’s punishment of those disobedient, those who walk in their own ways, seeking to direct their own steps and devising their own moral and spiritual doctrines. In consideration of the opposite, being judged by God for the right would mean that one had followed God’s pattern. The nature of God’s justice is such that He will demand the right which He has set forth in divine special revelation. The scriptures, therefore is the exclusive information that meets the needs of humanity. If we follow this divine revelation from God to humanity we will accept and obey God’s scheme of Redemption. Such acceptance and obedience will save us from past alien sins, preserve us in faithfulness during the present life as well as take us to heaven. In consideration of these basic truths such proves the relevance of the scriptures as well as providing a very strong apologetic for the plenary verbal inspiration of the Bible. The scriptures thus constitute a word picture of both God’s justice and love for humanity.
The scriptures are relevant in discussing the essence of humanity. In the study of the scriptures we ascertain how humanity was created by God (Gen. 2:7). We thus correctly conclude that we have both a physical and spiritual essence (2 Cor. 4:16). The material aspect of our creation is such that all of our physical needs can be met by the physical laws of nature. There is however a desire of humanity that cannot be satisfied by any material essence. There is a longing on the part of humanity that is spiritual in nature (Matt. 5:6; John 1:16-17; Col. 2:9-10). Our total desires can only be fulfilled be recognition that both the physical and spiritual come from a common source—God.
The scriptures are relevant in providing answers for our origin and destiny. As long as humanity has existed individuals have always raised two relevant questions: From whence did I come?; and Where am I going? True knowledge insists that something cannot come from nothing. The only rational answer can be that of God (Gen. 1-2). In view of our destiny, reality requires acceptance of the fact that humanity possesses an eternal nature (Jas. 2:26; Heb. 12:9). Because we all have an eternal essence—a non-ending, non-dying soul we will all live somewhere for ever. The choice is ours: It will be heaven or hell (Matt. 25:31-46; 2 Cor. 5:10).
The scriptures are relevant in making distinction between truth and error; myths and reality. When one gives careful analysis to life one will deduce a multiplicity of both problems and questions. Why do individuals die? What has brought about suffering and disease? Why does God allow sin to even exist? These questions as well as many others become a driving force in the lives of individuals. Resultant from these questions, both myths and false doctrine cause individuals to remain in a lost condition out of the fellowship of God.
The scriptures provide the answers to life’s crucial questions. In diligent Bible study we receive information regarding our origin (Gen. 1-3), our personal accountability (Rom. 3:23), the reality of sin (Rom. 6:23), and that Christ is the only means of our salvation (John 14:6).
Human tradition blames God and also at the same time denies His existence. Such is irrationality working overtime. The scriptures with great logical precision denotes that God has clearly revealed His existence by general revelation and by special written revelation revealed His divine attributes, the essence of humanity, the reality of sin, and the scheme of Redemption. God’s word is truth.
The scriptures are relevant regarding man’s need to worship. Anthropological, historical, and archaeological studies indicate that humanity was created with a desire to worship. Romans 1:16-32 indicate that one will worship something. May we have the love of truth to accept the reality of God and by our acceptance and obedience to His revealed word qualify ourselves to give unto Him scriptural worship.
