The Impact of The Bible

Should we notice anything?

To kick off the month of July, I mentioned in my first post this week that we would be studying the Bible. More specifically, we answered the question, ‘How important is the Bible really?’. We concluded that the Bible is the absolute truth from God and the only source of divine authority and revelation. With that being said, I want to continue this study and look more deeply into not just what the Bible is, but how it should affect us as believers. We saw that through 2 Timothy, Isaiah, and Revelation, that God’s Word is inerrant, authoritative, and final, but what does that mean for the believer? How should our lives be affected by having such a high view of the scriptures? Let’s recap what 2 Timothy 3:16 tells us, “16 All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness;”. We notice from this particular passage, that scripture is used for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training ourselves in righteousness. 

How does this apply?

This is quite possibly the most revealing passage in the Bible about what we should be seeing in our lives as we grow in the knowledge of God’s Word. Are we learning more when we read the Bible? Are we able to defend the truth with the Bible? What about correcting our own behaviors and growing to be more like Christ? These are monumental changes and growths that scriptures list out and yet, we are told this is exactly what we should be noticing in our lives the more we dedicate ourselves to the truth of God’s Word. As Dr. Warren Wiersbe says, “A Christian who studies the Bible and applies what the learns will grow in holiness and avoid many pitfalls in this world.” With this in mind, I want you to ask yourself a question and answer it seriously. When was the last time you learned something from the Bible? Don’t think about the last time you just read it, when was the last time you pick up God’s Word and put it down knowing something that you didn’t before? As much as we wish it was every day we look at the scriptures, I think more often than not, a lot of us read our Bible to check it off of our to-do list rather than learn more about our God and grow in holiness. 

What about rebuking? This one may be the least fun impact we notice about the Bible but it still needs to be an aspect of our lives. When was the last time you used God’s Word to rebuke or shut down a system or idea that you knew was not honoring or glorifying God? Can I ask a deeper question? When was the last time you used God’s Word to call out a friend or family member for an idea or lifestyle they were promoting that you knew was not honoring or glorifying God? As uncomfortable as these situations may be, it is an outcome we should notice in our lives the more we grow in holiness. Now I want to be clear, I am not suggesting that we get rid of our Bible reading plans or go out of our way to make sure we make other people feel guilty for our beliefs. What I am suggesting, however, is that we take a closer look at our time in God’s Word and see what type of impact it’s really having on our lives. Let’s write down the next thing we learn when we read the Bible instead of just marking it off the checklist. Let’s not be afraid to let our friends know why we don’t participate in certain sinful activities instead of just being quiet about them. Not only does this show our growth and maturity as Christ’s followers, but it may also show others the love and power of God to change a life. 

A Look in the Mirror

In case the first two things 2 Timothy 3:16 showed us weren’t humbling enough, the latter two will definitely do the job. We can see that along with learning and rebuking, the believer must also be correcting their own lives to grow in righteousness. John Piper notes this beautifully when he says, “Jesus prayed, ‘Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.’ (John 17:17) Sanctification is the process of becoming holy — that is, becoming more like Christ and like God, who is perfectly holy. This is not optional. Hebrews 12:14 says, “Strive . . . for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” We don’t become perfect in this life, but we do become holy. God sanctifies his people.” Dare I say, it is impossible to read God’s Word and not correct our lives and grow in righteousness. Just as Piper notes from the gospel of John, God sanctifies us in His truth, and if we are actively studying and reading this truth, then how can we not grow in righteousness? 

More than a Checklist

When all is said and done, the Bible’s effect on our lives should not just be noticed by the rules we follow, it’s truth is much more deeper and powerful than that. In fact, 2 Timothy 3:16 can be seen in a much more colorful and expressive light in the book of Hebrews. Hebrews 4:12 states, “12 For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Now that’s a powerful description of God’s Word. Reading our Bibles every day shouldn’t just be something we do to seem like a good Christian or in some way prove our worth to God. His truth is so much deeper than that. When we sit down and take time to learn from the creator of the universe, we shouldn’t be able to help but leave changed as a better person. The next time we read our Bible, let’s pray that God would teach us something new so that we may be able to rebuke the lies of this world and grow in the righteousness that He has made available to us. If we can do that, I believe we will begin to see the huge impact the Bible should be having on our lives, and Hebrews 4:12 will become much more than just a “coffee cup” verse for believers.

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Sources

[1] “Access Your Bible from Anywhere.” BibleGateway.Com: A Searchable Online Bible in over 150 Versions and 50 Languages., www.biblegateway.com/. Accessed 2023.

[2] Wiersbe, Warren. The Bible Exposition Commentary New Testament Volume II Ephesians – Revelation. Colorado Springs, David Cook, 2008

[3] “Ten Reasons to Read the Bible Every Day.” Desiring God, 2 July 2023, www.desiringgod.org/interviews/ten-reasons-to-read-the-bible-every-day.