The Bible Reveals
L LaBenne
Table of Contents
The Bible Reveals
The Bible
“The Bible reveals the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are unchangeable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe and practice it to be holy.
“It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword, and the Christian’s charter.
“Here paradise is restored, heaven opened, the gates of hell disclosed. It exposes the enemy, reveals his tactics and discloses the armor by which he is resisted. It reveals God’s love and unfolds the mystery of God’s eternal purpose. Christ is its grand subject. Our good is its design. The glory of God is its end. It should fill our minds, rule our hearts, and guide our feet.
“Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. It promises joy and happiness to all that will adhere to it, and solemn and serious consequences to those who will not. It is given to you in life, and will be opened at the judgment, and remembered forever. It involves the highest responsibilities, rewards the greatest labors. And it condemns all that would trifle with its holy contents. It is the Book of books. It is the way God makes Himself known to man.”
(Author unknown)
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
God’s thoughts of His dear Son: “And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17).
“And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:19).
“Forever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven” (Psalm 119:89).
“Heaven and earth shall pass away but My words shall not pass away” (Matthew 24:35).
“For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is head of all principality and power” (Colossians 2:9-10)
“Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them” (1 Timothy 4:15).
God’s Word the Bible
1. Begin with prayer.
2. Read the Bible.
3. “Strive diligently to present thyself approved to God, a workman that has not to be ashamed, cutting in a straight line the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15 JND).
4. “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11).
5. Read reliable ministry on God’s Word the Bible. (See: 2 Timothy 3:14.)
6. Obey the Bible and meditate on it (1 Timothy 4:15).
7. Pass it on to others (Romans 1:16).
Children’s Hymn “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.”
WILL THE BIBLE STAND?
I stood one eve beside a blacksmith’s door,
and heard the anvil ring the vesper chime;
Then. Looking in, I saw upon the floor,
Old hammers worn with beating years of time.
“How many anvils, have you had,” said I,
“To wear and batter all these hammers so?”
“Just one,” he said, and then with twinkling eye,
“The anvil wears the hammers out you know.”
And so, I thought, the anvil of God’s word,
For ages skeptic blows have beat upon;
And though the noise of falling blows was heard,
THE ANVIL IS UNHARMED, THE HAMMERS GONE.
WHENCE BUT FROM HEAVEN
Whence but from Heaven, could men unskilled in arts,
In several ages born, in several parts,
Weave such agreeing truths, or how, or why,
Should all conspire to cheat us with a lie?
Unasked their pains, ungrateful their advice,
Starving their gain, and martyrdom their price.
“Thus saith the Lord” or its equivalent occurs over 2,500 times.
“The word of God, which liveth and abideth forever” (1 Peter 1:23).
“God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds; Who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Hebrews 1:1-3).
Men do not reject the Bible because it contradicts itself, but because it contradicts them. “Professing themselves to be wise they became fools” (Romans 1:22).
Sharper Than Any Two-Edged Sword
J. N. Darby was confronted by a man who did not believe that the Bible was the Word of God. Darby was traveling by train with a Christian friend, and they were enjoying God’s precious Word together. The unbeliever mockingly said, “I don’t believe the Bible.” Darby opened his Bible and read to the unbeliever many precious verses! “I just told you,” said the unbeliever, that “I do not believe the Bible.” Darby quoted more verses from God’s word! The blinded man walked away laughing! Then Darby’s Christian friend asked, “why did you keep quoting scripture?” Darby answered, “Just because he did not believe the Bible (the sword of the Spirit), does not mean that I should stop cutting with it.” (Read Hebrews 4:12-13).
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.”
He also wrote the following helpful encouraging things:
One: In these days when the Word of God is called in question, it is blessed to know how a single verse of scripture was sufficient ... The word is its own proof.
Two: God reveals not His things “to the wise and prudent,” but unto “babes.” It is not the strength of man’s mind judging about “the things of God” that gets the blessing from Him; it is the spirit of the babe desiring “the sincere milk of the word.” ... The strongest mind must come to the Word of God as a newborn babe.
God’s Word
“Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently” (1 Peter 1:22).
“The word of the Lord endureth for ever” (1 Peter 1:25).
“By the word of Thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer” (Psalms 17:4).
“For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:9-10).
“God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5).
“God is love” (1 John 4:8).
Not our will: instead; The perfect will of God!
Simon Greenleaf “The Testimony of the Evangelists”
Lawyers tend to be skeptical and astute at spotting flaws in argument. Simon Greenleaf (1783-1853) brought an able mind to his work on the early development of Harvard University Law School. A contemporary said that he was, “a writer of the highest authority on legal subjects, whose life has been spent in weighing testimony and sifting evidence, and whose published opinions on the rules of evidence are received as authoritative in all the English and American tribunals.” His published textbook on the law of evidence was the premier text on the subject until long after his death.
He approached the Gospels with the same carefulness and laid out their trustworthy, rock-solid evidence. He used the same style of cross-examination common in courts of law to test the eyewitness accounts of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. His conclusions were ably presented in The Testimony of the Evangelists and are available to anyone today who wishes to fairly examine the Word of God. As Simon Greenleaf himself said, “All that Christianity asks of men on this subject is that they would be consistent with themselves; that they would treat its evidences as they treat the evidence of other things; and that they would try and judge its actors and witnesses as they deal with their fellow men, when testifying to human affairs and actions, in human tribunals. Let the witnesses be compared with themselves, with each other, and with surrounding facts and circumstances; and let their testimony be sifted, as if it were given in a court of justice, on the side of the adverse party, the witness being subjected to a rigorous cross-examination. The result, it is confidently believed, will be an undoubting conviction of their integrity, ability and truth.”
More important than all that Simon Greenleaf or any other has accomplished; we need to remember that the Bible tells us in Romans 10:17 “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
KJV – Hebrews 11:1-3 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.”
JND – Hebrews 11:1-3 “Now faith is [the] substantiating of things hoped for, [the] conviction of things not seen. For in [the power of] this, the elders have obtained testimony. By faith we apprehend that the worlds were framed by [the] word of God, so that that which is seen should not take its origin from things which appear.”
Sufficient and Supreme Scripture
It is important that we should see clearly that men must either deny that the Bible is the word of God, or admit its sufficiency and supremacy in all ages, and in all countries—in all stages and conditions of the human race. Grant us but this that God has written a book for man’s guidance, and we argue that that book must be amply sufficient for man, no matter when, where, or how we find him. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God ... that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” This, surely, is enough. To be perfect and thoroughly furnished, must needs render a man independent of all the boasted powers of science and philosophy, falsely so called (1 Timothy 6:20). C. H. Mackintosh
Becoming Familiar with the Scriptures Personally
Searching Questions:
What impact has the Word of God made on my life?
Has it opened my heart and mind to my sovereign, holy, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent God of infinite mercy and grace?
Has it created a sense of awe and worship?
Has it drawn me much closer to the Lord Himself?
Have I read the Scriptures until I am so saturated with them that I think in terms of God’s Word?
“Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:13-14).
Read the whole Bible. You will find an unending wealth of truth!
The Bible tells us good news of salvation: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).
“This is a faithful saying, and Worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15).
“Christ died for our sins” (1 Corinthians 15:3).
“Their sins and iniquities will I remember no more” (Hebrews 8:12).
The Apostle Paul said, “I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth” (Romans 1:16).
Jesus said, “With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer” (Luke 22:15). What should be my response? “As often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till He come” (1 Corinthians 11:26).
Jesus said, “Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself” (John 10:17-18).
“O day of mightiest sorrow,
Day of unfathomed grief!
When Thou should’st taste the horror
of wrath without relief.”
By JND.
Jesus said, “This do in remembrance of Me” (Luke 22:19).
Our Lord Jesus Is Coming Soon!
“In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:2-3).
“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure” (1 John 3:1-3).
Our enjoyment of soon seeing HIM face to face will influence all our decisions, separate us from the world, and comfort us! It will remind us that we are not home yet. We are in the world but not of a world that is still saying, “Away with Him, away with Him, crucify Him” (John 19:15).
Read Psalm 17:14b-15. Our sure hope and joy; is to be With Christ, not with this world!
“Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20c).
And is it so! I shall be like Thy Son,
Is this the grace which He for me has won?
Father of glory, though beyond all thought,
In glory, to His own blest likeness brought.
Oh, Jesus, Lord, who loved me like to Thee?
Fruit of Thy work, with Thee, too, there to see
Thy glory, Lord, while endless ages roll,
Myself the prize and travail of Thy soul.
Yet it must be, Thy love had not its rest
Were Thy redeemed not with Thee fully blest;
That love that gives not as the world but shares
All it possesses with its loved co-heirs.
Nor I alone, Thy loved ones all, complete
In glory, round Thee there with joy shall meet,
All like Thee, for Thy glory like Thee, Lord,
Object supreme of all, by all adored.
Low at thy feet Lord Jesus,
This is the place for me.
Here I have learned deep lessons,
Truth that has set me free.
Free from myself Lord Jesus
Free from the ways of man
Chains of thought that have bound me
Never can bind again.
None but Thyself Lord Jesus
Conquered this wayward will
But for Thy love constraining
I had been wayward still.
Treasure in His Word
Mary sat at HIS feet as:
A Learner—Luke 10:38-42— “heard His word”
A Mourner—John 11:32—Mary “saw Him, she fell down at His feet.”
A Worshiper—John 12:1-3— “anointed the feet of Jesus.”
The LORD is my shepherd—Read Psalm 23 to see my shepherd.
“Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and Thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by Thy name, O Lord God of hosts.” (Jeremiah 15:16).
Read Colossians 3:12-24 to receive instruction for wives, husbands, children, fathers and servants.
Read the whole Bible. You will find an unending wealth of truth!
“Where hast thou gleaned to day?” (Ruth 2:19b). Read this chapter.
Jesus said: “I have glorified Thee on the earth: I have finished the work which Thou gavest Me to do” (John 17:4). “All Mine are Thine and Thine are Mine; and I am glorified in them” (John 17:10) – Read the chapter!
And the testimony of glorifying our Lord in our marriage! “This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes” (Psalm 118:23).
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31a).
Just As I Am
“Just as I am, without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bid’st me come to Thee
O Lamb of God I come! I come!
Just as I am, and waiting not
To rid my soul of one dark blot,
To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God I come! I come!
Just as I am, though tossed about
With many a conflict, many a doubt,
Fighting’s and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God I come! I come!
Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind;
Sight, riches, healing of the mind,
Yea, all I need in Thee to find,
O Lamb of God I come! I come!
Just as I am, Thou wilt receive,
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
Because Thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God I come! I come!”
By Charlotte Elliott