The Word of God

This week I’ve been thinking about the authority of Scripture. II Timothy 3:16 tells us that all scripture is God-breathed. Because it is the Word of God, it should be the ultimate authority in every area of our lives.

God has given us His word so that we can learn about Him and know what His will is. But it doesn’t do us any good unless we actually read it. God has made it very easy for us; He has given us his word in plain English so that we can read his word with very little difficulty. It is so easy, all we have to do is take the time to read it, and we can know what God commands, what He desires of us.

Then we have to obey it. This is considerably more difficult, but it is how we can glorify God. What good does it do us to know what God says, unless we actually follow His instructions? Whatever God desires and commands we must do, what He says must be the highest authority for our lives. In John 4:34 Jesus says, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.” Philippians 2:8 says that He humbled Himself and became obedient. If Jesus lived to do the will of His Father, and He humbled Himself and became obedient, then if we desire to be like Him, we must learn to do God’s will, we must learn to be humble and obedient.

We must also be careful to emphasize what God emphasizes. Since God’s emphasis is His glory, that should be what is most important to us also. So often we emphasize things like music, while ignoring what is actually most important: reflecting the character of God. While we should glorify God in our music, I believe God would rather have a Christian who is loving and humble, but listens to the wrong music than someone who listens to all the right music but is proud and selfish. God’s glory has always been what is most important to Him, so we must make it our goal to glorify Him in everything.

It is so easy to ignore the Bible without even realizing it; just letting the days slip by without opening the Bible. It is so easy to read the Bible, but not let it change our lives. It is so easy to emphasize the wrong things, but this week let’s make it our goal to read God’s word, obey it, and emphasize what is most important, glorifying Him by reflecting His character; that’s what we’re here for.