Be able to speak

Recently someone posed the question, on the internet, as to what the actual purpose of the Bible is. Now, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17). Moreover, God has made known His will in the Bible. In 2 Peter 1:19-21, we read: “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” God speaks to us through His Word (which is ageless) – that is reason enough for the existence and purpose of the Bible. One thing is also obvious, namely without content, binding statements, explanations and information, nothing is possible. In fact nothing can function (whatever it may be) without appropriate content. Communal living, communication and other relationships cannot function without it. People are just like that, they need something tangible in order to deal with things. How they do it, and what the outcome is, is another question, but nothing can come from nothing. With regard to faith-filled and appointed people bringing the message of God to their fellow man and contemporaries, the vital information is written in the Bible. Namely, by people who were empowered, chosen and driven by the Holy Spirit. Thus, to God it was a matter of key importance. Should this matter of importance have become less important or have stopped altogether? I think not.

Even today (maybe even more so) people need God's edifying words, as well as other Christians to tell and explain it to them in love and with upright motivation. Why is it so important? In Isaiah 53:11 we read a prophecy about Jesus Christ: “He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for He shall bear their iniquities.” God (in human form) laboured in love and mercy in Christ His beloved Son – for us! Should we not then also make a small effort, to break the silence at the appropriate time, and bear witness of our faith? Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 6:12 “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.” We should, as Christians, speak our faith, and not hide ourselves or be ashamed of the reason and foundation of our salvation, giving a testimony of our faith when the opportunity arises. Paul wrote in Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” God's means of salvation is through grace, love and the new birth through the Biblical Gospel of Jesus Christ (John 3:16; 14:6). Life is meaningless without God and there are no alternatives apart from faith in Jesus Christ. We need to communicate this, stand firm in our faith, and also suffer for it, if need be – God will reward us! In Hebrews 10:34-35 we read: “For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.” Amen.

Jörg Bauer