Why I Love the Bible | Dr. Justin Imel, Sr.
With the utmost respect, some people just do not know the Bible. I once gave an exam in a Bible college and one question asked in what city Paul gave his speech at the Areopagus; one student answered, “New York City.” A lady once told me that the Bible said we’re to wear our best to worship; I’m still looking for that verse.
I love the Bible. I study the Bible. Why? The points us to God.
One: How do we know we have the true thoughts of God if we don’t have His words? Thoughts are communicated in words.
Two: Paul makes an argument on the very words of Scripture. “He does not say, ‘And to seeds,’ as of many, but as of one, ‘And to your Seed,’ who is Christ” (Gal 3:16). Paul could not have made an argument based on the number of a word—singular or plural—unless the very word “seed” itself was inspired!
What we read in the Bible did not come from man; the words of the Bible came from God. “Prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Pet 1:21). I cannot deny that God allowed each writer to use his own style as he wrote—that’s obvious from reading the differences in John and Paul. However, God used these different writers so that at the end of the day, every single word of Scripture is precisely what God wanted it to be!
Scripture points to God, for Scripture provides a standard for practice. We hear that God is so full of grace that He will gladly overlook ignorance of His will. We live in a society that is all about the individual. People honestly believe that if they like something—if something makes them feel good—God is duty-bound to accept it.
However, Scripture informs us of what is right and wrong.
He’s asked if it’s lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason. Jesus says: “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female’?” (Matt 19:4). The Pharisees had the answer staring them in the face if they’d only open the Torah and read!
When Jesus was asked about marriage and the resurrection, the Lord says, “You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God” (Matt 22:29). The Sadducees did not need to deny the resurrection of the dead. God had said in the Old Testament that there was going to be a resurrection of the dead; the issue is settled.
The apostles taught this principle.
Paul received instructions concerning the Lord’s Supper from the Lord: “I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you” (1 Cor 11:23).
Paul wrote the commandments of the Lord: “If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord” (1 Cor 14:37).
“His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness” (2 Pet 1:3).
Peter says that we need to heed “the prophetic word” (2 Pet 1:19).
Scripture points to God, for Scripture tells me what is true. “Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path” (Ps 119:105). There are many perils the church faces today—many teach error, many advocate immorality. If we want to keep our way in this sea of turmoil, we must turn to Scripture!
The folks in Berea “were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11). The Bereans refused to accept Paul and Barnabas’ word as truth until they had examined it by Scripture. Notice that they turned to Scripture to examine what they heard!
Scripture points to God, for Scripture leads me to salvation. “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes” (Rom 1:16). “Lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls” (Js 1:21). The Word of God will save your soul. Is that not reason to love the Word of God?
Second: we must obey Scripture. The obedience of Scripture must not only happen at a congregation level, but we must obey individually. If I love Scripture because it points me to God, I’ll want to do what my God teaches in Scripture (Js 1:22-25).
Third: we must share Scripture. The Word of God will save souls, and we must share that Word with a lost and dying world!
Fourth: we must study Scripture. If the Word of God will save our souls and guide us through this world, don’t we need to know Scripture?
If the word understood that the Bible points us to God, how would the world be different? We’d see much less immorality, for people would be storing God’s Word in their hearts. We’d have fewer types of churches, for people would be searching to see if what they heard was true—Most churches would be out of business! We’d see more people come to Jesus for salvation–people would be sharing Scripture and people would be searching Scripture with their eternal destiny in mind!
How much do you love Scripture?