For a Friend

I speak for a friend downgraded by some, laughed at by others. I speak for a friend, the victim of unjust criticism, picked apart here and rejected there. I speak for a friend accused of being irrelevant for our times and even of being a fraud. But I speak for a friend greatly loved and proved true and trustworthy over the years, by me and by countless others.

I speak for the Bible, the written Word of God. Despite the often heard assertion, “The Bible needs no defense,” surely its friends should not remain silent in the face of irresponsible criticism that may lead others to ignore, neglect, or reject it.

The integrity and authority of this friend, the Holy Scriptures, are at stake. Little by little men are whittling away at both, and in so doing they are striking at the Son of God, revealed in the Word.

We who accept the complete trustworthiness of the Bible can do so on the basis of sound reasoning. It is inconceivable that God would have given a revelation, part of which was subject to question.

Above all else, we believe the Bible because of the Christ revealed therein. The Lord must become experientially real to all Christians, but only in the Bible do we find who he is, what he did, and why he did it, and our overwhelming need of him as Saviour and Lord. Eliminate the biblical record and only vain speculation is left. Accept that record and there is revealed—in all his beauty and power—Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God.

I speak a word for the Bible because there, in the clearest possible perspective, one can see God at work in his creation and history. One sees, etched in words of fire, his own need and God’s provision for that need. Without the Word there would be no explanation for man’s existence, his predicament, and his hope. In the light of the Word, this world and the next fall into their proper relationships.

I speak for the Word because our Lord himself did not hesitate to make use of the Old Testament Scriptures, referring to them as accurate and authoritative. Were it not for our Lord’s use of the Scriptures, we would be ignorant of the meaning of many passages that refer to him. His simple statement, “… that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms must be fulfilled” (Luke 24:44, RSV), should impel us to search the Scriptures, which, our Lord said, “speak of me.”

I speak for the written Word because the apostles in their writings refer again and again to the Old Testament Scriptures in such a way as to affirm their complete truthfulness and authority.

Those who today inveigh against “proof texts” would do well to notice how frequently Jesus, and later his disciples, used such texts. Furthermore, it is noteworthy that these critics of “proof texts” do not hesitate to resort to the same authoritative source when to do so suits their purpose.

I speak a word for the Holy Scriptures because of the claims they make for themselves. They claim the inspiration of the Holy Spirit for what was written. Again and again we read the words of the prophets, “Thus saith the Lord,” and we sense that only God could so speak.

When we read the Apostle Paul’s bold statement, “All scripture is inspired by God …” (2 Tim. 3:16), or the Apostle Peter’s words, “… no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by the impulse of man, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God” (2 Pet. 1:20, 21), we are led to believe and to thank God that this was so.

There are those who sneeringly say that some of us worship the Bible, that we are “bibliolaters.” How foolish men can get! I know of no person who worships the Bible, but I know of many who worship the Christ revealed therein. A surgeon does not worship his scalpel; but he trusts it. So those who have approached the Word of God with faith, who through the Holy Spirit have come to understand it and by the help of God have tried to obey it, are convinced that the Bible is what it claims to be, the written Word of God.

I speak a word for the Bible because inherent in it is a power present and possible only where the Holy Spirit reigns. The Apostle Paul described the written Word as the “sword of the Spirit.” Our Lord used three thrusts of this sword to defeat Satan in the wilderness. It has been used again and again by believers to stand firm in the face of the devil’s attacks.

Furthermore, preaching that is saturated with the Word of God, that is based on and confirmed by this divine revelation, touches hearts with the awareness of sin and transforms indifference into conviction and action. “Thus saith the Lord” still has its ancient power; God’s Word is “living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Heb. 4:12).

I speak a word for the Holy Scriptures because of what they mean to me. They speak to my heart and go down to the innermost parts of my soul. Through them I hear someone speaking, and there is no question who it is. As the Bible speaks I accept it by faith; and having done this, I find that the way to understanding is opened. Not that I understand all. No one would be so foolish as to deny that there are depths of mystery whose edges we barely touch. It could not be otherwise; in the world the divine revelation is seen only dimly. We contemplate the universe with awe and reverence; how much more should we worship and praise the God of that universe for who he is and what he has done for us.

I also speak for the written Word of God because it expresses my soul’s deepest feelings and aspirations. David, who our Lord says was “inspired by the Spirit” (Matt. 22:43), not only gives us in the Psalms revealed truth and prophecy but also lifts our souls to heights of adoration and praise of God without which we would be poor indeed.

Finally, I speak a word for the Scriptures because I have tested God’s marvelous promises and found them true. He promises to guide, and when we turn to him he does just that. He promises to give wisdom, and when we admit our own insufficiency and lean on him he does not fail. He offers to help us in every contingency of life, and he makes good his offer. When sorrow comes he gives solace. With temptations he offers the way of escape. When his Kingdom is given precedence, the necessities of life are assured.

Yes, I am speaking for a friend; one ignored, maligned, neglected, downgraded, and often openly denied. I speak because in my heart I know the Scriptures are to be trusted, and by experience I know they are true. This is a love affair that has grown with the years. Where once a verse or a short passage made up the day’s reading, now there is joy in extended study. As in praying, so in reading the Holy Scriptures one meets God face to face. He brings rest for the soul today and hope for the future, in the person and work of his Son.

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