Living the Christian Life – Chapter 5: The Bible as our Blueprint

To be a disciple of Jesus Christ is to accept that there is such a thing as absolute truth and that God has revealed His will to mankind to show us how to live. This revelation is found in the Holy Bible, in both the Old and New Testaments. The Bible gives us God’s standard for living. It is the plumb line for how we build our lives.

In Old Testament times, and even still today, a plumb line was used in construction. It consists of a long piece of string, weighted at one end, which, when held from above, indicates a perfectly straight line. It is used for comparison in a building project to be certain the walls and structure are not leaning to one side or the other.

With this understanding in mind, it is easy to see how Scripture is to be the ultimate plumb line in our lives, the measuring rod against which everything must line up.

“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 complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NKJV).

The word “inspiration” in this verse is translated from the Greek word theopnuestos, which literally means “God-breathed.” Some theologians translate this word as “es-spired,” or “breathed out.” In other words, God breathed forth his Word to mankind. He didn’t just stir the imaginations of the writers, who then wrote something that touches on God’s leading, as some Bible critics have surmised. The God of the universe inspired the writers of Scripture in such a way that they wrote accurately and precisely what God wanted them to write.

God will always be faithful to His Word. This is a great assurance to us as we begin to read the Bible to find God’s plan for how we are to live our lives.

The only way that we can know anything about God and His ways is through what He reveals to us. Since the beginning of the Church Age, Christians have held firm to the Holy Bible—both the Old and New Testaments—or as theologians would call it, the canon of Scripture, as the guiding truth for all believers.

The apostle Paul spoke of this in his second letter to Timothy:

“But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught.
You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who
taught you. You have been taught the holy Scriptures from
childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the
salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus” (3:14-15 NLT).

What is the Bible?

The Bible was written over the span of 1,500 years by 40 different writers. These godly people lived centuries apart, in different areas of the ancient Middle East. The background of these people varied greatly from shepherds and fishermen, to doctors, lawyers, and kings. Parts of the Bible were written in three different languages: Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic. There was no way for these people to gather and discuss what was being added to the Bible—it had to have been compiled under the divine direction of the Holy Spirit.

Even though they wrote in different languages, at different times, in different places, often having no knowledge of what the others had written, the messages they wrote were unified under the guidance of God’s Spirit. These 66 books are each colorful strands in a magnificent tapestry that we call the Holy Bible.

Only God could orchestrate such a book—and what a magnificent book it is.

The Bible consists of 66 different books with one message: man’s need for a Savior and God’s provision of that Savior, Jesus Christ.

But the Bible is not just words on a printed page. The writer of Hebrews speaks of the spiritual power of God’s word in our lives.

“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12 NKJV).

Jesus made it clear in his earthly ministry that He spoke only what the Father wanted Him to speak (John 12:49). So when he quoted the Old Testament, He was speaking from the authoritative Scriptures. In other words, Jesus was confirming that the Old Testament is God’s Holy Word.

Christians believe and teach that the Bible was inspired by the Holy Spirit—God spoke these words to men who faithfully wrote them down. So the Scriptures are the final authority for our faith and life. Through His Word, God can and does speak to His people!

 

[1] Little, Paul. Know Why You Believe. Downer’s Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity, 1968.

[2] Albright, William F. Recent Discoveries in Bible Lands. New York: Funk and Wagnalls, 1955.

[3] Albright, William F. “Towards a More Conservative View.” Christianity Today 18 January 1963: 3.