These Things Were Written for You to Believe

The Word of the Lord abides forever (1 Pet 1:25). Heaven and earth will pass away, but God’s Word will not pass away (Mt 5:18; 24:35). This is the eternal Word that brought everything that exists into being (Col 1:16; Heb 1:2).

God’s called prophets and preachers have proclaimed the Word of God (Acts 8:4; 10:36; 15:35; Rom 10:15), which is God’s own account of His eternal decree for all things. Men of God were moved along by the Holy Spirit to write the inspired, infallible, inerrant Word of truth (2 Tim 3:16; 2 Pet 1:20–21). These prophets and apostles were ordinary men, who served the Lord in their generation.

The Bible is a cohesive story, despite having over forty human authors, written over some fifteen hundred years. It is a coherent, compiled account of who God is and what He has done. There is a history to the Bible, which is itself historical. In the same book, we have a prophetic account of the future, even the end of the world.

Although the Bible is available to all people, except where it is feared, and thus banned, it is actually written to God’s chosen people. In this way, it serves as a love letter from a Father to His children, or a Groom to His beloved betrothed. For this reason, it means little to those outside of the family of God. It even serves as a point of mockery and scorn by those who do not believe what was written.

The Word of God is described as a sword (Heb 4:12), and more specifically, the sword of the Spirit (Eph 6:17). As a doubled-edged sword, the Bible serves to cut and separate. It divides humanity into two distinct groups (ie. sheep/goats; wheat/tares; righteous/wicked). As one would expect, one group loves the Word, as one appreciates the light in the darkness. The other group loathes the Scriptures, because it exposes them for being children of the devil (Jn 8:44; 1 Jn 3:10), lovers of darkness (Jn 1:5), workers of iniquity (Job 34:22; Prv 10:29; 21:15), destined for judgment (Heb 9:27) and eternal punishment in the fiery hell of the lake of fire (Mt 25:46; Rev 20:14–15).

Holy writ is hardly a dead word. It describes itself as living, active and sharp to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Heb 4:12). The living God has spoken, not only in the design of creation, which itself speaks without using words (Ps 19:1–3), but men being re-made in the image of Christ (Rom 8:29), speak with the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:16), granted to them by the Spirit of Christ (Jn 16:13).

It is the Holy Spirit who appoints men of God to preach the Word (Acts 20:28; 2 Tim 4:2). This Word came to the prophets by the indwelling Spirit (1 Pet 1:12; 2 Pet 1:20–21), who informed them of One to come from heaven, who would be the Savior of the world (Jn 4:42; 1 Jn 4:14). He came to save His people from their sins (Mt 1:21).

The Word of God made flesh was given the name “Jesus” (Jn 1:14). His titles include: Son of God; Son of man; King; Lord; and Messiah/Christ. All men are liars (Rom 3:4), but this God/man only spoke truth because He Himself was truth (Jn 14:6), being filled with the Spirit of truth (Jn 16:13).

When men of God preach the Word of life, they preach Christ and Him crucified (1 Cor 1:23; 2:2, 4), which is the Gospel of our salvation (Eph 1:13). This good news is the power of God unto salvation for the souls of God’s elect, redeemed, regenerate, believing people (Rom 1:16). From this Word, men hear of their fallen status before God, and how He has chosen to have mercy on some (Rom 9:15–16), according to His will and eternal good pleasure (Jn 1:13).

Vessels of mercy (Rom 9:23) hear the Word preached, and they are granted the gift of faith (Gal 3:22; Phil 1:29), by the grace of God (Eph 2:8–9), to the praise of His glorious grace (Eph 1:6). We learn that salvation from sin, death, and the devil is an exclusive work of God (Ps 3:8; Jon 2:9; 1 Cor 1:30; Rev 19:1), who transfers His beloved, from the domain of darkness and into the kingdom of His Beloved Son (Col 1:13).

There is ample testimony of people throughout the Bible, who received this grace unto salvation. The Spirit and the Word bear witness to the truth of this great salvation (Heb 2:3), for men, women, and children continue to experience this radical transformation of heart and mind, today.

The same imperishable seed of God’s Word that was planted in the heart of the life of Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, and Elijah is planted, today (1 Pet 1:23), bearing spiritual fruit that remains on the branches (Jn 15:16), of those attached to the true and living Vine, who is Christ (Jn 15). Not all people have this life (Jn 3:36; 1 Cor 2:14; 1 Jn 5:12), but those who do, find it difficult to have an interest in the trivial matters of this world (1 Jn 2:15–17).

God’s Word, the Bible, sets the Christian mind on the things above (Col 3:2), which are the things of the Spirit (Rom 8:5–6), who is our Teacher, Helper, and Comforter (Jn 14:26). He helps us keep our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith (Heb 12:2). Although we have not seen Him face to face, we love Him (1 Pet 1:8), because He first loved us (1 Jn 4:19). He demonstrated His love for us (Rom 5:8), the church (Eph 5:25), by offering His life (Jn 10:11, 15), in sacrifice unto death on a cross (Phil 2:8).

Truly, he who hears the voice of Christ calling him to life (Jn 10:27; 11), has hope of abundant and eternal life, from this time forth and forevermore (Jn 4:14; 6:27; 10:10; 10:28; 17:2; 1 Jn 5:11) . How do we know? He told us, and it was written, so we would believe. Do you?

David Norczyk

Spokane Valley, Washington

October 2, 2022