How do we know for sure that the Bible is the Word of God? Because relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ is based upon it we should be sure of its authenticity. A lot of time can be spent giving complex theological arguments. There's a place for that but it's not here. I want to approach this in a very simple and fundamental way. The short form of what I'm going to say is: I understand the Bible to be God's Word because it declares itself to be and it works for me. Not only does it work for me but it has worked for millions of people in the past 2000 years. Christianity and relationship with God through the Lord Jesus Christ is not new. It's had a lot time to be proven. 2 Tim. 3:16,17 - All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.
2 Pe 1:20,21 - knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. 21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
Down through the ages many skeptics and serious doubters have gone to great lengths to discredit the Bible. People have sited various imperfections in translation made from the original languages. I'm definitely not suggesting perfection. Seldom is perfection possible where people are involved. What I am saying is that what the Bible says about establishing a relationship with God through Christ, relationships with other people and personal spiritual growth all work when the Word of God is obeyed.
Col 1:5,6 - ... Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, 6 which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and growing--as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, (ESV)
I well remember the time when I was listening to an evangelist preaching from the Bible. In love he informed me that the Bible said that all people have sinned, which included me, and that I needed to be brought into a right relationship with God. Because of sin in my life I was cut off from the blessing of God and had no hope of eternal life with Him. The preacher went on to tell me the Bible account of Jesus' sacrificial death on the cross for me. I was told that Jesus had taken my sins upon Himself, that He had taken the Father's judgment for my sin and that I could receive forgiveness of sin through a personal repentance (a deep inner desire and turning away from sin) and the acceptance of Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I was told that the Bible said that if I would do this I would be "Born Again" (receive new spiritual life) and that I would have new life in Christ. I did as I was instructed. That was 34 years ago now. I still remember it as though it were yesterday. The peace that flooded my inner being is unexplainable. I knew without a shadow of doubt that God had forgiven me and that I was now in a right relationship with God. I knew all was well with my soul.
If you'd like more information you can email me at newliferealities@gmail or you can visit our New Life Realities Website at www.newliferealities.ca. You'll find a lot of helpful free materials there.
