Written by David Francis
We recently identified 3 things the Bible isn’t. We said the Bible is not an encyclopedia, a self-help guide, or a fortune cookie. Among the many things the Bible IS are these three.
- Revelation. The Bible is not an encyclopedia. It does include everything about everything. It doesn’t even record everything about God. It does include everything He wants to reveal about Himself. From the account of the wonder of creation in the opening chapter of Genesis to the description of the splendor of heaven in the closing chapter of Revelation, God reveals Himself. Everything? Not likely! Everything “I Am” wants us to know about Himself? Absolutely. Want to get to know God? Explore the Bible!
- Reminder. The Bible calls us often to remember. It describes and prescribes memory tools. Sabbath. Stacks of rocks. Boxes on foreheads. Festivals. Special meals. A serious student or teacher of the Bible will hardly read a passage without being reminded of another, and that one not without being reminded of yet another. A reference Bible could just as easily be called a reminder Bible, as it links us to other passages that remind us of similar stories and truths. And lest we need help, we’ve been given a Helper—a divine Reminder—in the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised He would “remind you of everything I have told you(Jn 14:26).” In his letter to the Romans, Paul declared “I have written to remind you more boldly on some points.” A theme for Moses in Deuteronomy was “Remember….” Want to know what, how, when, who to remember? Explore the Bible!
- Resource. Need comfort? There’s a story in the Bible! Need courage? You’ll find “Fear not” all over the place. Counsel? Ditto. Wisdom? Start in the middle. Wonder? Go to the beginning. Hope? Flip to the end. Want to know what to do? It will tell you: Be strong. Abide. Honor. Submit. Wait. Watch. Go. Teach. Obey. Rejoice. Want to know what not to do? If you really want to know: Murder. Lie. Steal. Covet. Cheat. Forsake assembling. What not to be? Ashamed. Arrogant. Afraid. Conformed to the world. Desire to know what you should be? It’s there: Conformed to His image. Blameless. Holy. Glad. Wise. Alert. Shrewd. Strong. Content. Thankful. Generous. Quick to hear. Slow to speak. Slow to anger. Still. Salt. Light. Fruitful. What does fruit look like? Joy. Peace. Patience. Kindness. Goodness. Faithfulness. Gentleness. Self-control. And love. Self. Neighbor. The Lord. Heart. Mind. Strength. And so, so, so much more. Want to know more? Explore the Bible!