REASONS TO BELIEVE THE BIBLE #3

Here's a few more reasons why I believe you and I should read the Bible. This is my third post on this subject.

3) Is faith blind?

No, faith in the Biblical sense means to believe with certainty and conviction (Hebrews 11:1), to trust someone who is faithful, to believe the words of God. Contrary to blind faith, the Bible teaches we are to examine everything we hear (1 Thessalonians 5:21), to carefully consider what and who we trust in (1 John 4:1), to believe the testimony God has provided to His Word (1 Thess. 2:13; 1 John 5:9,10).

Faith is justified by the works God has performed before eyewitnesses (Luke 1:2-4; John 10:25,38; 14:11; Acts 5:32; 13:31; 1 John 1:1-4), the character of those eyewitnesses to be faithful (1 Thess. 2:10), their willingness to suffer or die for the message they taught (Acts 5:41; 21:13; Phil. 2:17; 2 Tim. 1:12; 4:6), their strict morality which makes it impossible to knowingly deceive others and remain true to the message (2 Cor. 4:2; 1 Pet. 5:12; 2 Pet. 1:16), the power of the Holy Spirit (John 15:26; 16:13; Acts 2:38; 5:32; Rom. 1:4), and so on.

Biblical faith promotes careful examination of facts (Luke 1:3-4; 1 Thes. 5:21), but discourages blindly believing something without good reason (1 John 4:1). Faith does not stop with human reasoning alone (1 Cor. 2:5-6), it is a divine gift from God's Spirit (Eph. 2:8; 1 Cor. 12:9), imparted to the people of God so that they may believe with certainty the things written in His Word.

4) Is the message of the Bible all negative, fire and brimstone?

No, the Bible contains the most positive message I have ever heard in my life, calling it "Good News".

No merely human imagination could have ever made it up. The Bible was written by around 40 different authors who lived centuries apart from each other, who came from different countries and lifestyles, yet who wrote in perfect harmony with one another.

Like a masterpiece of art, the Bible paints the darkest picture of evil, sin and judgment, contrasting that with the most glorious display of light in God's love, mercy and grace. At the same time that it speaks of the justice and wrath of the Most Holy God, it also shows how everlasting and deep His love is for those sinners whom He rescues by taking their punishment away through the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ.

Only the words of Holy Scripture can accurately describe such loving grace: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. " (John 3:16). "For by grace you are saved through faith; and that is not from yourselves: it is the gift of God. Not by works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:8-10). "And this word is the good news that was preached to you" (1 Peter 1:25).

6) Would you consider studying the Bible yourself?

Maybe you grew up going to church, but were never taught to understand the Bible well? Maybe you were never taught the Bible at all? Or maybe you have been told it is wrong or a lie? Maybe you are of another religion, but you have not really considered what the Bible says? Or maybe you have never had an interest in learning the Bible?

Whatever your case may be, would you consider the Biblical message honestly? Would you consider that you are a creation of an eternal, all-knowing God? That you will be held accountable to Him for all you have said, done and thought? That eternal justice will be performed on the day of Judgment, which God has appointed through His Son, whom He has raised from the dead? That without a righteousness no less than perfect, you will not be able to enjoy God's presence in eternity. That your sin will be held accountable and punished with an eternity of fire unless you humbly confess it, forsake it and turn to Jesus who shed His own perfect blood on a cross so that you could be forgiven. That you can be justified from your sin forever in His righteousness by faith alone, as a free gift.

Jesus Christ only saves sinners, and He only saves them by grace, which means that good deeds or being a good person will not earn you forgiveness. You must receive it as a gift of God through child-like trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, or you will not receive it at all. Those who do believe, do obey Jesus' commands, just as the Lord said. His commands are that you believe in the Son whom God has sent to the world, and that you love His true children. Obedience is the fruit and necessary result of true saving faith. Even this faith is a gift of God given by His Holy Spirit, whom you will receive if you truly believe. Please consider these things and turn to the Savior. You only have an eternity of peace with God to gain, and sin and hell to lose.