Properties of the Bible (Pasche)
"Thy Word is true from the beginning; and every one of Thy righteous judgments endureth forever." Psalms 119:160.
As there is no variableness with God, so likewise the Word of God is unchangeable and immutable. Mighty kingdoms and em pires have fallen, but the Word of the Lord endureth forever. The visible heavens above us and the earth upon which we sojourn will pass away, but the Word of God will not pass away.
Another property of the Bible is: it is the sole authority in matters of faith. Whatever has no Scripture warrant is false doc trine, vain worship. Christ says of the Pharisees: “In vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” But all Scripture is profitable for doctrine, and because it is given by inspiration of God, it is God’s authoritative Word, given for our salvation.
And as the book of salvation and life, too, the Bible is all- sufficient. It declares all the counsel of God, all that is necessary to salvation.
It is, furthermore, so clear, so perspicuous, in teaching the way of salvation that even a child can understand it. The Bible is the clearest book ever written, and no person of ordinary intelligence and unprejudiced mind can fail to understand its teachings and to find in it the way of life.
Still another property which the Bible possesses we call its efficacy, its power. It has the power to save man. Man cannot save himself. The ability to do so inheres in the Scriptures. It has the power to draw the prodigal son away from sin and bondage and wretchedness back to his heavenly Father. It restores to him his lost rights and privileges of a son and heir. It kindles in his heart a new love of God. It frees him from the degrading dominion of sin and beautifies his present life. It extends to him the inspiring hope of a glorious life beyond the grave and gives him strength to triumph over all earthly tribulation.
Prayer.
Lord, our God, let us always in simple faith abide with Thy revealed Word. There we have the advice which Thou from heaven hast given to us.' Let us hear Moses and the prophets. Let us beware of deviating from Thy holy Word even by a hair’s breadth. Whom Thy Word cannot save, he cannot be saved. Whom Thy voice does not win, he will not, and cannot, be won. Oh, let us prize Thy Word, let us hear Thy voice, let us learn from the con fusion of others that those who have all the wisdom of this world are nevertheless helpless in time and eternity if they do not follow Thy Word in simple faith! Amen.
