Give Me The Bible

Psalm 119:105 “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And light unto my path.”

PART I

The Great Big Book of Everything

Written by

Christopher Mentzer

My lunch hour at work is almost the only time I have to get to read and study the Bible. And often people notice me reading it day after day. Some co-workers inquire why I read it so much. I usually say I want to. But, not being satisfied with my answer draw their own conclusions. They figure I’m studying to become a pastor or just to get “further ahead in the church”.

The question to ask is why NOT read the Bible? I mean to the basic bookworm the scriptures contain: Love, hate, drama, action, adventure, tragedy, wars, deceit, Good vs. Evil, and a spectacular ending. But that is just half of the Bible. In addition the Bible also contains: The Law, the plan of Salvation, advice for finding a spouse, proper conduct for our daily lives and guidance to get us where we want to go.

However to most people the Bible is strictly for Sunday worship and then the other six days, a paperweight or wall decoration. What other book gives you the meaning of our existence?

In Eccl. 12: 13-14 we get the answer, “This is the end of the matter; all hath been heard: fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole `duty' of man. 14. For God will bring every work into judgment, with every hidden thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” And some may say, “But that’s what the Bible is suppose to say that.” That may be true but in order to come to that conclusion, consider Solomon, the author of Ecclesiastes, and his quest for the purpose of living. He sought after great wisdom and the result, “For in much wisdom is much grief; and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.” Eccl. 1:18. He tried working for fulfillment and realized, “All the labor of man is for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled.” Eccl. 6:7. Solomon tried to amass great wealth. The realization was, “As he came forth from his mother's womb, naked shall he go again as he came, and shall take nothing for his labor, which he may carry away in his hand.” Eccl. 5:15.

The majority of Ecclesiastes is dedicated to Solomon’s quest for the meaning of life. Chapter 12 became the only worthwhile conclusion. Jesus said, “If ye love me, ye will keep my commandments.” (John 14: 15) And if we abide in His word then we are his disciples (John 8: 31).

The Bible is something we should read every day. Not just for reading pleasure but for studying God’s Word and being approved by Him (2 Tim. 2: 15). In order to build our faith we need the truth of the scriptures (Rom. 10: 17; John 8: 32; Acts 17: 11). We need the knowledge of the Bible so that we can contend for the faith and give a defense of the things we believe (Jude 3; 1 Peter 3:15). And finally we need to learn the plan of salvation so we might share it with others (Mk. 16: 15-16; Acts 2: 38). What other book out there can give you all of this and more? I’ve yet to see it.