In August 1949, my grandfather—a largely unknown young preacher at the time—was at a Christian retreat center in the mountains east of Los Angeles, California. A spiritual battle raged inside him. A friend who had gone to Princeton Seminary had repeatedly and passionately encouraged him to change his view on Scripture.
“People no longer accept the Bible as being inspired the way you do,” his friend said. “Your faith is too simple.” My grandfather, in his autobiography Just As I Am, shared, “I had no doubts concerning the deity of Jesus Christ or the validity of the Gospel, but was the Bible completely true? If I was not exactly doubtful, I was certainly disturbed.”
After intense and prayerful study of Scripture, my grandfather fell to his knees and cried out to God. He acknowledged he didn’t know all the answers or how to respond to his friend’s questions, but he surrendered to the inerrancy of God’s Word by faith.
With the spiritual battle won, the difference in his preaching was immediately noticeable. He spoke with a newfound authority. By November, the Greater Los Angeles Crusade had launched Billy Graham from an obscure North Carolina evangelist into a household name. Once the matter was settled in his soul, God used him to reach millions.
The Apostle Paul, in his letter to Timothy, similarly encouraged his spiritual son to rely on Scripture and make it the center of his faith. Why?
For the answer, let’s look at 2 Timothy 3:16-17: “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 complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
Scripture has divine origin, with God as the author. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God” (2 Timothy 3:16). Not just the parts that we like and that make us feel comfortable. No, all Scripture is given by the inspiration of God!
It is the self-revelation of God, penned by human authors under the control of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, the Bible is totally reliable, totally from God.
Also, as God’s Living Word, Scripture is “profitable” for us in all facets of life (2 Timothy 3:16). The Bible provides everything needed to know God, find salvation, be convicted of sin, be corrected and restored, and to guide followers in Christian discipline.
Finally, the Bible equips and completes us (2 Timothy 3:17). It gives us the prescription and cure for the disease of sin. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). As we are convicted of sin, confess it and pursue righteousness, we mature in our faith and walk with God. From there, we are ready for “every good work” on behalf of the Kingdom.
Though circumstances, relationships, politics and culture move, the Bible is everlasting—a firm foundation. It lights our path and meets our needs. Commit to filling your soul with the Word of God and allowing Him to guide your steps.
