For those of you who have been following my website for a while you probably know that I love to use quotes by famous people to help inspire you on your deeper walk with the Lord.
One quote that really impacted me was made by the late great American Bible scholar and theologian, Charles C. Ryrie. When referring to the Bible Ryrie once said: “The Bible is the greatest of all books; to study it is the noblest of all pursuits; to understand it, the highest of all goals.”1 I couldn’t agree more with this wonderful summary of the Bible. I would briefly like to comment on the three sentiments Ryrie makes in his statement.
The Bible is the greatest of all books
There are literally a hundred reasons why the Bible is the greatest book ever written. For example:
It is the only book that gives the account of special creation. (Read Genesis, chapter 1). It is the only book that gives a continuous historical record from the first man to the present era and on into the future. It is the only book that boasts it will last forever; and so far, 3,000 years later, it’s heading that way. For we read in (Isaiah 40:8): “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of God stands forever.” It is the only book of antiquity that accurately details prophecies of events to come. It is the only book of any religion that states man is born in sin and then presents the way of salvation. It is the only book about which we can make the following statement: The Bible is read by more people in the world today than any other book and it is banned from being read by more people on our planet than any other book. And the Bible details the life of the most influential person who ever lived – Jesus Christ. My friends there is just no book like the Bible.
Studying the Bible is the noblest of all pursuits
Jesus’ teachings are universally considered to be the finest set of ethical principles ever given to mankind. The more we study the Bible and hide these teachings in our hearts the more integrity we will exhibit to a world where this trait is so hard to find. In addition, as we study and apply the teachings of Scripture, we will find ourselves developing a loftiness of character and a lifestyle of honesty that will make us stand separate from the crowd. Finally, as we study the Word we will learn how to follow in the footsteps of Jesus – which is the noblest thing anyone could ever aspire to.
Understanding the Bible should be the highest of all goals
Understanding the Bible should be without a doubt the most important activity we engage in for several important reasons. First, the Bible tells us how to obtain, the most sought after thing in the universe – eternal life. Second, the Bible tells us how to restore our broken relationship with God. We all have a spiritual thirst and without connecting to the God of the Bible we will never satisfy it. And third, as Theodore Roosevelt once said: “A thorough knowledge of the Bible is worth more than a college education.”2 The more we understand the Bible the more wisdom we will obtain and according to (Proverbs 3:13-15): “How blessed is the man who finds wisdom And the man who gains understanding. For her profit is better than the profit of silver And her gain better than fine gold. She is more precious than jewels; And nothing you desire compares with her.”
Eternal life. A personal relationship with God. Godly wisdom. I don’t know about you but if I had to list important goals in life these three would be at the top of my list. And the Bible has so many more blessings for those who are willing to explore its sacred pages. Charles Spurgeon said it well in reference to the Scriptures: “A Bible that’s falling apart usually belongs to someone that isn’t.”3
1 Bible Quotes (2195 quotes) (goodreads.com)
2 Theodore Roosevelt – A thorough knowledge of the Bible is… (brainyquote.com)
3 Quote by Charles Spurgeon: “A Bible that’s falling apart usually belongs to…” (goodreads.com)
“Eternal life. A personal relationship with God. Godly wisdom. I don’t know about you but if I had to list important goals in life these three would be at the top of my list.”
God has a list, too and these goals still stand.
And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” Gen 1:28
Be fruitful; multiply; fill the earth; subdue it; have dominion, now that’s a list of goals that can only be accomplished after the Fall by God’s grace in the gift of His Son and the Holy Spirit.
The death of Christ paid our sin of lawbreaking. The resurrection of Christ guarantees the renewal of all things, physical and spiritual. The ascension of Christ enthroned Him until He has made His enemies His footstool. The gift of the Holy Spirit empowers us to be fishers of men, kingdom builders, and defenders of the faith. A trowel in one hand and a sword in the other. Neh. 4:17
Individual salvation is a beginning but is a means to an end, obeying God’s covenant until He establishes a new heaven and earth wherein will dwell righteousness. He has all authority not just in heaven but on earth, our permanent home. “Make disciples of all nations” and “teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” Law and Gospel, covenant harmony.
ALL…SO TRUE!!