Simple Thoughts . . . I Pray

Walking in Simple Truths

Today's Scriptural Truth

"Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name."  John 20:30-31

Today's Devotional Thoughts

The Bible is a book . . . but more than a book.

• If read as a history book, it will surely disappoint . . . not because of inaccuracies & missing gaps--though students of history may perceive what they like. It will disappoint because there are many, many other history books. Each one has its own perception & slant on The Truth . . . The Bible is NOT a history book.
• If read as a book of philosophy or moral teachings, it will surely disappoint . . . not because of its lack of great insights into human character . . . it's amazing exploration of ethical behavior toward others . . . perseverance in the pursuit of integrity & truth . . . But what truth? Whose truth? Many other books of philosophy & moral teachings have been written. The world has had its fill of moral teachers . . . often teaching--& living--paths of morality that contradict & confuse . . . The Bible is NOT a book of moral teaching.
• If read as a book of literature, it will surely disappoint . . . not because it lacks great examples of literature . . . You will find many secular universities that offer courses in biblical literature . . . Of course, they dare not offer courses that present The Bible as the holy, infallible Word of God . . . The poetry of Psalms . . . The prophetic oracles of the Old Testament prophets . . . The Parables of the Master Teacher . . . all are rich examples of biblical literature . . . However, from the beginnings of the written word, literature in its many genres has been passed down to us . . . & you will find as many favorite types of literature as you will find those who savor it . . . Treating The Bible as literature & stacking it up against the works as diverse as those of Shakespeare to those of Ray Bradbury . . . That's an exercise in relativity & futility . . . The Bible is NOT a book to be read as mere literature.

What then is the Bible meant to be? Read again this simple Truth as found in the Gospel of the Apostle John:

" . . . These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, & that by believing you may have life in His name."    John 20:31

The Holy Spirit inspired men like St. John to record the words of scripture so that we would have a written account of the salvation history:

• THE simple Truth--not A truth among many truths--of forgiveness & salvation through Christ the Son of God . . . 
• Jesus . . . the Savior of all humankind . . . 
• Who took our sins upon Himself . . . 
• Who died the death that rightfully should have fallen upon us . . . 
• Whose sacrifice was deemed acceptable to God the Father as proven by Jesus resurrection from the dead on the third day.

It's as simple as that . . . Seriously? Really that simple?

Yes . . . as simple as a child-like faith that reads The Bible . . . not for history, although you will find rich history--amazingly accurate history . . . not for moral teaching--although you will find unsurpassed morality & insight in the Ten Commandments & Proverbs of Solomon . . . not for great literature--although you will find pleasure in the poetry of the Psalms & the imagery of Jesus' parables . . . 

As simple as a child-like faith that reads the Bible with the faith given to us by God's grace--His undeserved love--which allows us to discover & grow in the knowledge that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, the Life . . . & "by believing we may have life in His name."

Today's Prayer Thoughts for Both of Us

• Give thanks for the gift of The Bible.
• Ask for the Holy Spirit's continued blessing on our reading of Scripture.
• Ask that by our reading of Scripture we would grow in our love for & knowledge of Jesus.
• Pray for God to unlock The Truth of Scripture for someone else who needs to know that Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, the Life.