To suggest this world is embroiled in an authority crisis is, perhaps, the understatement of the decade. Almost every country is divided politically, socially, racially, and morally. The church is also in crisis. Many take personal conviction and personal preference as absolute truth. Sadly, many who profess Christ as Savior and Lord struggle to accept God’s commands as the final word. Many wonderful Christian parents believe themselves to be trapped between the authority of the Bible and their deep love for their children. This leads families to divide over what is right and wrong regarding life-styles, marriage, sex, cohabitation, foul language, church attendance, and every other ethic known to man.

As debates rage on, many discredit the veracity of the Bible by concluding, “Well, I’m sure God will still let me into heaven even though His word says how I’m living is wrong!”  Some even suggest that God needs to catch up with modern times, with the Bible in desperate need of an up-grade. 

None of that is true.

I am a Christian man and a long-time preacher of God’s Word. Even though He has blessed me through extensive study to be able to understand much about His Word, there are still many things about it and this world that only He knows and that my finite mind will never grasp. For instance, how does a black cow eat green grass, produce white milk which can be churned into yellow butter? I know it happens, and I love the goodness I receive from it; however I cannot comprehend how it all works. Should I refuse the benefits of it because I don’t understand it? Of course not.

Because I love and trust Him with all my heart, I accept God’s Word as the final authority on everything pertaining to life,  death, and everything in between. I owe Jesus everything. And, because I am a disciple of His, I believe the Bible is true. By faith, I know everything He says is designed for my betterment and His glory. 

I believe the Bible is inerrant. Every assertion in the Bible is based on God’s divine authority; therefore, I believe the Bible is foundational for living well. It is the rock on which I choose to build my behavior, life-style, attitude, disposition, and ethics. 

I believe the Bible is life and hope. Every word directs us to the redemptive mercy and grace of God through His Son—who gave His life so we might have the power to live life free from sin, and live our lives with fullness of joy. 

I believe the Bible is for all people. Because God so loved the world, Jesus died on the cross for all of us to be forgiven. When we believe in Him, repent of our sins, confess Him to be Lord and Savior by grace through faith, we are saved.

God in three Persons proves the Bible to be the final authority. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

1. God, the Father.

God is not only our Abba Father; He is our Creator. We’re created in His image. He created you and me to look like Him, love like Him, and to live with Him. When we see ourselves through the lens of the Garden of Eden, we see the perfection of His creation. But because sin marred His image imprinted on our hearts, we could no longer look, love or even live in His presence. However, because the Father never gave up on His image-bearers, He became our Grace-Giver. Ephesians 2: 8-9 says we are saved by grace through faith. His salvation plan made it possible to erase sin from our lives and to be born again. A complete spiritual do-over. 

1. God, the Son.

Jesus Christ is not only God’s Son, He is Savior and Lord. By fulfilling the Father’s plan, the Son provided the only way to mend our relationship with the Father. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14: 1-6) Jesus also said, “Scripture cannot be broken.” (John 10:35) I do not fully understand why Jesus loves me so much, but He does. On that truth alone, why would I not believe the Bible given the fact that Jesus has forgiven me, created in me a new heart, and gives me hope beyond the grave?

 

1. God, the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is not only my Comforter in times of need and distress, but He convicts my spirit when I sin. When I try to convince myself that my way is the right way, though God says it is not, the Holy Spirit reveals my missteps. Confessing and repenting of sins realigns my steps with the righteousness and holiness of God. He also convicts me to share the truth about the reality of God’s judgment on those who refuse to acknowledge their sin and that they fall short of His glory.

This one true God is my Sustainer, Provider, and Promise-Keeper. As my dear friend, Dr. Billy Graham said, “The future is as bright as the promises of God.” God’s never changing character affirms why we can accept the Bible as His full and final authority.

I’m convinced the Bible is true.  Every. Single. Word. 

How about you?