‘Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.’ Matthew 24:35 NIV
One of the first books to come off the printing press when it was
invented was the Bible. And it’s still the world’s best-selling book. An
anonymous author has written: ‘It contains the mind of God, the state
of man, the way of salvation, the fate of sinners, and the happiness of
believers. It is a light to direct you, food to nourish you, and comfort
to cheer you. It is the traveller’s road map, the pilot’s compass, the
soldier’s weapon, and the player’s game plan. It’s a mine of incredible
wealth, and a river of genuine joy. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts
are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable.
Christ is its grand subject, your good its design, and the glory of God
its end. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, practice it to be
spiritually healthy. Read it slowly, frequently and prayerfully. Let it
fill your memory, rule your heart, and guide your steps. It is given to
you in life, will be opened at the judgment, and be remembered for ever.
It involves the highest responsibility, will reward the greatest
labour, and judge those who trifle with its sacred contents.’ The Bible
is ‘The Word of our God [which] stands forever…’ (1 Peter 1:25 NIV) Most
of us respect the Bible; the trouble is we don’t read it daily and put
it into practice. After hearing a discussion on various translations of
the Bible, one man said: ‘I prefer my mother’s translation, because she
translated it into everyday life.’ Are you doing that?