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Is the Bible the Word of God?
Many people experience great difficulty in believing
that the Bible is actually the Word of God. Some individuals entertain sincere
doubts concerning its divine authenticity, accuracy, and reliability. This is a
common dilemma which not only affects most unbelievers, but many Christians
have struggled with this issue as well. Many reject the Christian argument that
the Bible is the inspired Word of God on the grounds that this claim is
simplistic, shallow, and intellectually unconvincing. For this reason, many
non-Christians demand more substantial proof.
WHAT
IS MEANT WHEN WE SAY THAT THE BIBLE IS THE WORD OF GOD? This simply
means that the Bible is the divinely inspired and infallible revelation of God
to man, rather than the mere words of men to other men. When we say the Bible
is the Word of God, we do not mean that all the words are God’s words. Some are
the words of men, angels, demons, and even Satan. However, it is in its entirety the Word of God in the sense that God, through
the agency of the Holy Spirit, divinely directed and inspired the writing of it
and supernaturally controlled its overall construction, design, and recording
of contents. In other words, it is not the product of human devising,
manipulation, or imagination, but God was the author and architect behind its
creation from beginning to end.
WHY
DO PEOPLE REJECT THE BIBLE? For a variety of reasons, many remain
skeptical and unconvinced concerning claims about the Bible’s trustworthiness
and divine authorship. Some of the questions raised regarding the Bible are, on
the surface, both reasonable and justifiable, while others are based upon
willful ignorance and blind opposition. Many
reject the Bible as the Word of God without even examining the facts. Some
harbor deep reservations about the Bible because they have not been confronted
with sufficient proofs to the contrary. Some reject its divine authorship,
without sacrificing a measure of respect for the Bible, as a noble piece of
ancient literature or a great religious masterpiece. Still others challenge the
Bible’s reliability on superficial grounds. Their opposition is often based on
well-worn arguments, sweeping generalizations, mindless objections, and
preconceived prejudices rather than the sound foundation of reason, truth, and
reality.
An absolutely essential requirement for
those examining this booklet is an attitude of openness and intellectual
integrity. If a person approaches this issue with a mental mindset which
obstinately refuses to honestly consider the proofs presented in defense of the
Bible, he will be wasting his time. Though we must respect the mental
reservations a person may have, a person must seriously challenge any bias
against the Bible which is not based upon reason or a careful examination of
the facts. If a person will review the proofs presented with an open and
intellectually honest attitude, he will see that the evidence in support of the
Bible’s accuracy is overwhelming and conclusive. We will examine 16 major reasons for accepting the Bible’s reliability
and divine authorship on the following pages.
1) THE
ULTIMATE GROUNDS FOR ACCEPTANCE. It is one thing to dogmatically
contend that the Bible is the Word of God. We can even substantiate this claim
with many convincing arguments. However, all of our proofs amount to nothing
apart from a faith response. The Bible is a book which must ultimately be
accepted by faith – not just passive mental agreement. Being intellectually
persuaded alone is insufficient grounds for allowing the Word of God to truly
profit a person’s life. The Bible even declares that, “the word… did not profit them, not being mixed with faith” (Heb.4:2). Many
powerful proofs can be mustered in defense of the Bible, but a person must
ultimately come to a place of responsive faith in the Bible, its message, and
its author. Though the following proofs
can help stimulate intellectual confidence in the Bible, a person must exercise
a rational faith which acts upon logical facts presented in order for the Word
of God to have its intended effect upon his life.
2) THE
UNITY OF THE BIBLE. The overall unity of the Bible gives strong support
to its divine origin. What makes the issue of unity so significant is the fact
that the Bible is such a complex book involving many diverse factors. The Bible contains an amazing continuity of
message in spite of the fact that it contains many complex ingredients: 1) It was written over a 1600 year
period, covering 60 generations. 2) Over
40 authors were involved in its final composition, each from a variety of
cultural and occupational backgrounds. These included kings, peasants, a
fisherman, a tax collector, a rabbi, philosophers, statesmen, scholars, poets,
a doctor, a shepherd, and a general. 3)
It was written from many different locations, under a variety of conditions,
from three different continents (Asia, Africa, and Europe). 4) It was written in three major
languages including Hebrew, Chaldee, and Greek. 5) It covers hundreds of controversial
subjects, and involves a variety of literary styles including history, poetry,
law, prophecy, and biographies. Yet in spite of this multitude of contributing
factors, the Bible is a single, unfolding theme concerning God’s redemptive
plan for mankind. A unity of such scope
and magnitude gives strong, silent testimony to its divine authorship and
design. No other religious work on earth can equal such an accomplishment. To
illustrate the significance of this fact, a test was proposed1 which
would involve ten authors, all from one walk of life, one generation, one
place, one time, one mood, one continent, one language, and just one
controversial subject to see whether they would totally agree! The inevitable
result would be a hodgepodge of conflicting opinions and perspectives. Yet the
Bible is a harmonious book covering many complex and controversial subjects. This
fact points to an all-knowing, all-powerful God behind its construction and
composition.
1 Josh McDowell,
Evidence That Demands a Verdict, pp. 19, 20.
3) THE BIBLE’S INDESTRUCTIBILITY. The indestructible character of the Bible gives
strong support to its divine preservation. The Bible has weathered the test of
time and has successfully withstood the repeated attacks of atheistic
philosophies, higher criticism, modernists, liberal theologians, rationalists,
humanists, scientific skepticism, Communists, and every conceivable brand of
critic. In spite of the determined and
aggressive assaults against the Bible, it has not only survived, but has
consistently triumphed over all its enemies. In fact, the Bible has been
likened to an anvil which has worn out the hammers of countless opponents.1
For example, during the 18th century, Voltaire confidently boasted of the
eventual extinction of Christianity and the Bible. However, only fifty years after
his death, the Geneva Bible Society used his press and house to produce
countless Bibles.2
1 H.L. Hastings, cited by John
W. Lea, The Greatest Book in the World,
pp. 17,18. 2
Norman L.
Geisler, A General Introduction to the Bible, pp.
123,124.
4) ITS ENDURING POPULARITY. Not only has the Bible remained invincible against
the repeated attacks of its critics, but its appeal has not been diminished by
either time or persecution. The Bible
still remains the all-time best seller of human history. No other book can
compare to the Bible’s appeal. The Bible was the first major book printed by
Johannes Gutenburg’s press in 1456. Since that time,
over 7 billion copies have been printed. No other book has come close to
matching its popularity and circulation. According to statistics compiled by
the United Bible Society, 6,562,911,347 Bibles had been distributed worldwide
as of 1984. The Bible had been translated in its entirety or in part, into
1,808 languages or dialects. The Bible’s enduring popularity among countless
millions testifies of the universal reverence and respect which it deserves as
the inspired, authoritative Word of God. “After 1,900 years, the Bible is still
loved by millions, read by millions, and studied by millions.”2
1 Encyclopedia Britanica, Vol. 3, p. 588. 2Bernard Ramm, Protestant
Christian Evidences, pp. 232, 233.
5) THE TESTIMONY OF GREAT MEN AND WOMEN. Another
contributing support for the Bible’s authority and divine authorship centers
upon the testimony of great historical figures who staked their reputation and
sacred honor upon the absolute reliability and accuracy of the Bible:
Abraham Lincoln – “I believe the Bible is the best gift God has ever
given to man. All the good from the Savior of the world is communicated to us
through this book.”
George Washington – “It is impossible to rightly govern the world without
God and the Bible.”
Patrick Henry – “The Bible is worth all other books which have ever
been printed.”
Andrew Jackson – “That book, sir, is the rock on what our republic
rests.”
Queen Victoria – “That book accounts for the supremacy of England.”
Charles Dickens – “The New Testament is the very best that ever was or
ever will be known in the world.”
Sir Isaac Newton – “There are more sure marks of authenticity in the
Bible than in any profane history.”
Immanuel Kant – “The existence of the Bible, as a book for the people,
is the greatest benefit which the human race has ever experienced. Every
attempt to belittle it is a crime against humanity.”
Thomas Huxley – “The Bible has been the Magna Charta of the poor and
oppressed. The human race is not in a position to dispense with it.”
Theodore Roosevelt – “If a man is not familiar with the Bible, he has
suffered a loss which he had better make all possible haste to correct.”
Napoleon – “The Bible is no mere book, but a living creature,
with a power that conquers all that oppose it.”
Sir William Herschel – “All human discoveries seem to be made only for the
purpose of confirming more and more strongly the truths contained in the sacred
scriptures.”
Woodrow Wilson – “When you have read the Bible, you will know it is
the Word of God, because you will have found it the key to your own heart, your
own happiness, and your own duty.”
6) ACCURACY
OF THE MANUSCRIPTS. The manuscript evidence supporting the
Bible’s accuracy is overwhelming. There are over 5,400 Greek manuscripts of
the New Testament, over 10,000 of the Latin Vulgate, and at least 9,300 other
early versions. A total of over 24,000 manuscript copies or portions of the New
Testament are in existence today. Compared to other ancient writings such as
Homer’s Iliad or Caesar’s Gallic Wars, the
Bible has more manuscript evidence supporting its reliability and accuracy of
translation than any ten pieces of ancient literature combined!1
So conclusive is the evidence supporting this fact that one prominent scholar
noted, “To be skeptical of the resultant text of the New Testament books is to
allow all of classical antiquity to slip into obscurity, for no documents of the ancient period are as
well attested bibliographically as the New Testament.”2 The
exacting accuracy of manuscript translation, as well as the massive amount of
manuscript material in existence, gives strong support to its divine authorship
and preservation.
1 Josh McDowell, Evidence That Demands a Verdict, pp.
19, 39-46.
2
John W.
Montgomery, History and Christianity,
p. 29.
7) SCIENTIFIC ACCURACY. The steady progress of science has not undermined the
Bible’s accuracy. Not a single
scientific fact or discovery has ever disproven a biblical statement!1 In
fact, the advances of science have repeatedly confirmed the scriptures’
accuracy. For example, the Bible
revealed that the earth was round nearly 2,200 years before 15th century
explorers discovered that the world wasn’t flat after all (Isa. 40:22). The Hebrew word for “circle” in this verse actually
means “sphericity” or “roundness”. Before the
invention of the telescope, Ptolemy established the number of stars at 1,056; Tycho Brahe figured 777; and Kepler
counted 1,005.2 These figures seem foolish to 20th
century man, but in 600 B.C. the prophet Jeremiah
revealed that the number of stars was innumerable when he wrote, “the hosts (stars) of heaven cannot be numbered” (Jer. 33:22). 1 Creation Research Center, San
Diego, CA 2 Henry Morris, That You Might Believe, p. 18.
8) THE FULFILLMENT OF BIBLICAL PROPHECY. Another pivotal proof supporting the accuracy and
divine authorship of the Bible centers upon the issue of prophetic fulfillment.
The Bible is saturated with specific prophecies concerning nations, cities,
historic events, and individuals. But what lends such overwhelming credibility
to the divine origin of these prophecies is the fact that hundreds have been
literally fulfilled in the most minute detail. In fact, so convincing is the proof that
God Himself established the issue of prophetic fulfillment as a legitimate test
of divine authorship and authenticity (Isa. 41:21-23,26). A classic example of the many remarkable fulfillments
which could be cited1 involves the 6th century B.C. prediction of
the overthrow of the city of Tyre (Ezekiel 26). Seven
specific things were predicted, each of which was literally fulfilled to the
letter during the 4th century B.C. The mathematical probability of this
happening has been calculated to equal 1 in 75,000,000.2
1 Josh McDowell, Evidence That Demands a Verdict, pp. 284-331. 2 Peter Stoner, Science
Speaks, p. 60. Probably the most amazing series of prophetic
fulfillments involves the multitude of Messianic predictions concerning Christ.
The Old Testament contains 332 specific
prophecies which were literally fulfilled by Christ.1 This fact
not only establishes His divine credentials, but substantiates the divine
authorship of the Bible as well. The
following are 27 selected examples of over 300 distinct prophecies relating to
Christ: born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2/Lk. 2:4-7); born of
the tribe of Judah (Gen. 49:10/Lk. 3:23,33); born of a virgin (Isa. 7:14/Matt. 1:18,24,25); referred to as Immanuel (Isa. 7:14/Matt. 1:23); He would be a king (Psa. 2:6/Matt. 27:37);
He would be preceded by a messenger
(Isa. 40:3/Matt. 3:1,2); entered
Jerusalem on a donkey (Zech. 9:9/Lk. 19:35-37a); rejected by His own people (Isa. 53:3/John 7:5,48); betrayed by a friend (Psa. 41:9/Matt. 10:4);
betrayed for 30 pieces of silver
(Zech. 11:12/Matt. 26:15); silver thrown
into temple (Zech. 11:13b/Matt. 27:5a); money used to purchase a potter’s field (Zech. 11:3b/Matt. 27:7); forsaken by His disciples (Zech. 13:7/Mk.
14:50); wounded and bruised (Isa. 53:5/Matt.
27:26); smitten and spit upon (Isa. 50:6/Matt.
26:67); mocked (Psa. 20:7,8/Matt. 27:31);
didn’t answer His accusers (Isa. 53:7/Matt.
27:12-19); hands and feet pierced
(Psa. 22:16/Lk. 23:33); crucified with
thieves (Isa. 53:12/Matt. 27:38);
made intercession for His persecutors (Isa. 53:12/Lk. 23:34); lots cast for His garments (Psa. 22:18/Jn.
19:23,24); given gall and vinegar to
drink (Psa. 69:21/Matt. 27:34); bones
weren’t broken (Psa. 34:20/Jn. 19:33); His
side pierced (Zech. 12:10/Jn. 19:34); buried
in a rich man’s tomb (Isa. 53:9/Matt. 27:57-60); ascended to God (Psa. 68:18/Acts 1:9).
1 Floyd
Hamilton, The Basis of Christian Faith, p. 160.
9) THE LAW OF COMPOUND PROBABILITIES. Simply stated, the law of
compound probabilities is a mathematical law which can be used to calculate the
probability of a specific set of conditions, requirements, or qualifications
being fulfilled. Professor Peter W. Stoner used this law to determine the odds
of a certain proscribed number of biblical prophecies relating to Christ being
fulfilled.1 His findings were carefully evaluated by the American
Scientific Affiliation and found to be sound and convincing.2 His
findings rule out coincidence, chance, or human manipulation in the fulfillment
of biblical prophecy. Stoner started by calculating the probability of one lone
individual precisely fulfilling only eight
prophecies relating to Christ. He computed the odds at 1 in 1017.
This is the same as 1 followed by 17
zeros. This would be the equivalent of covering the entire state of Texas 2
feet deep in silver dollars, specially marking one of them, and instructing a
blindfolded man to pick the right silver dollar on the first try. Dr. Stoner
then computed the odds of one individual fulfilling just 16 prophecies relating to Christ. He calculated the odds at 1 x 1045 power,
or 1 followed by 45 zeros. The sun is 93 million miles from earth. However, if
you had this many silver dollars, you could build a stellar ball which would
extend 20 times farther than the sun. The probability of one individual
fulfilling just 16 prophecies would be the equivalent of specially marking just
one silver dollar in that massive ball, blindfolding a man, and instructing him
to successfully pick the right silver dollar on the first try! Stoner further
calculated 48 prophecies at 1 x 10157.
This figure is astronomical and beyond human comprehension, but Christ fulfilled over 300 distinct
prophecies! These calculations prove the divine authorship of the scriptures
beyond any reasonable or conceivable shadow of doubt.
1 Peter W. Stoner, Science Speaks. 2
H. Harold Hartzler, American
Scientific Affiliation.
10) THE
CONTRIBUTION OF ARCHEOLOGY. Archaeological research over the last two
centuries has provided overwhelming support for the Bible’s accuracy. In spite of repeated attempts by critics to
discredit its contents, archaeology has consistently verified the absolute
reliability of biblical accounts, references, and chronologies. A wealth of
evidence has been unearthed to conclusively prove the trustworthiness of biblical
data concerning its references to historical figures, the existence of
civilizations and cities, and the accuracy of details and information
associated with specific incidents. So irrefutable is the evidence that one
renowned archaeologist stated that, “It
may be stated categorically that no archaeological discovery has ever
controverted (contradicted) a biblical reference.”1 This fact
gives unquestionable support to the Bible.
1 Nelson Glueck, Rivers in the Desert, p.31.
11) HISTORICAL
ACCURACY ACCORDING TO CHRIST. Another important pillar supporting the
Bible’s infallibility centers upon the testimony of Christ. In spite of
numerous attempts by skeptics to ridicule its contents and rationalize away its
miraculous accounts as being nothing more than a collection of myths, folklore,
and fanciful allegories, Jesus repeatedly confirmed its historic accuracy. Jesus
consistently placed His divine seal of approval upon the Bible’s contents by
verifying such accounts as the creation of man (Matt. 19:4,5), the murder of Abel (Matt. 23:35), Noah and the flood (Matt. 24:37-39), the destruction of Sodom and the turning of Lot’s
wife into a pillar of salt (Lk. 17:28-31), the existence of
Abraham, Isaac, Jacob (Matt. 8:11), King David (Matt. 12:3), and Elijah the prophet (Lk. 4:25), the miraculous provisions of manna (Jn. 6:49), and the reality of Jonah the prophet (Matt. 12:40). Not only has
secular research proven the Bible’s historic accuracy, but Christ’s endorsement
also lends powerful support.
12) SACRIFICE
OF MILLIONS. Another significant
support of the Bible’s divine authenticity is the fact that countless millions
of Christians have laid down their lives in defense of it. Christians have
suffered martyrdom, mutilation, torture, imprisonment, banishment, and
confiscation of properties because of their firm belief that the Bible is the
only inspired Word of God. Christians have sacrificed everything considered
most precious and dear in this world for their convictions concerning the Bible’s
reliability. For example, William Tyndale was strangled and burned to death in
1536 because he translated the Bible into the language of the common man. John
Hus was burned at the stake in 1415 because he taught that the Bible was the
only inspired and reliable message from God to mankind. These individuals
represent the plight of millions who have willingly surrendered their lives for
the absolute conviction that the Bible is the inspired Word of God.
13) ITS
TRANSFORMING POWER. One of the
most profound proofs of the Bible’s divine authorship centers upon its dynamic,
life-changing impact upon the lives of men and women, the course of history,
and the destiny of nations. The Bible’s power is timeless and universal. Its
transforming effect transcends every conceivable boundary. It has produced the
same revolutionary effect upon the lives of individuals world-wide, in spite of
their sex, age, nationality, ethnic origin, cultural heritage, social standing,
occupation, intellectual attainment, religious background, or environment. Hundreds of millions of “born-again”
Christians can testify of the transforming reality of the Word of God. Their
lives are living proof that the Bible not only changes a man outwardly, but
produces a radical, inner transformation of the heart, mind, and soul. Their
lives confirm the fact that “if anyone is
in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things
have become new” (2 Cor. 5:17). The Word of God
doesn’t just change a man superficially. It changes his entire life. The
witness of hundreds of millions to the reality of this fact provides strong
evidence of the Bible’s divine nature, power, and authority.
14) THE
TESTIMONY OF CHRIST. One of the most powerful proofs that the Bible is
the inspired Word of God rests on the infallible testimony of Jesus Christ –
the living, incarnate, Word of God (Jn. 1:1). Christ personally endorsed the reliability
of the Bible. In so doing, He put His divine stamp of acceptance and approval
on its source of inspiration, its message, and its infallibility. The issue
of the Bible’s trustworthiness was so important to Jesus that He repeatedly
stressed that God was its author and that its contents were absolutely
accurate, factual, and authoritative. His unqualified support for it is proven
by the fact that He repeatedly taught from it, quoted it, and referred to its
reliability. This reality is substantiated by the following passages: Matt. 4:1-10; 5:18; 24:35;
Mk. 7:9-13; Lk. 24:44-45; Jn. 1:1-18; 10:35; 17:17. Not only did Christ directly refer to the scriptures
as “the word of God” (Mk. 7:13; Matt. 4:4), but He intimately linked the written Word to
Himself: “And beginning at Moses and all
the prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning
Himself” (Lk.
24:27). “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal
life; and these are they which testify of Me” (Jn. 5:39). On the basis of Christ’s infallibility, we believe
that the Bible is equally infallible. A rejection of Christ’s credibility
amounts to a rejection of Christ. A denial of His claims concerning the Bible’s
dependability is tantamount to making Christ a liar and a deceiver. In essence,
a rejection of the written Word is the
equivalent of rejecting Jesus Christ, the living Word – for they are the same!
(Jn. 1:1).
15) THE
RESURRECTION OF CHRIST. One of the most forceful arguments for
accepting the Bible as the Word of God is because Jesus said so! But what gives
such impressive clout to His words is the reality of His resurrection from the
dead. His resurrection confirms that
Jesus is who He claimed to be, and His statements regarding the scriptures’
inspiration are reliable. The historical fact of the resurrection can be
substantiated by “many infallible proofs”
(Acts 1:3). The enormous weight of evidence in favor of this
reality is overwhelming!1 For example, the
post-resurrection appearance of Christ was verified by over 500 eyewitnesses (1 Cor. 15:6) who touched Him, spoke with Him, and ate with Him. The
number, circumstances, and variety of appearances provide strong evidence that
the resurrection was not a figment of the imagination, an elaborate hoax,
hallucination, or cleverly manipulated plot. 1 Josh McDowell, Evidence That Demands a Verdict,
pp.179-260. Furthermore,
the high moral character and integrity of those witnesses is beyond reproach,
and many were executed for their unwavering defense of the resurrection of
Christ. The evidence pertaining to the
historic reality of the resurrection is absolutely conclusive. As one noted
scholar confirmed, “I have been used for many years to study the histories of
other times, and to examine and weigh the evidence of those who have written
about them, and I know of no one fact in the history of mankind which is proven
by better and fuller evidence of every sort, to the understanding of a fair
inquirer, than that great sign which God hath given us that Christ died and
rose again from the dead.”1 The
resurrection places an infallible stamp of authority upon Christ and His claims
concerning the divine authorship of the Bible. No other religion, religious
figure, or religious writing can claim this support. As one writer concluded, “Confucius’
tomb – occupied, Buddha’s tomb – occupied, Mohammed’s tomb – occupied, Jesus’
tomb – empty.”2 This fact is what makes Christ and the Bible the
only Word of God!
1 Thomas
Arnold, cited by Wilbur M. Smith, Therefore
Stand: Christian Apologetics, pp. 425, 426. 2 G.B. Hardy, Countdown.
16) THE
SELF-WITNESS OF SCRIPTURE. The Bible makes some very strong claims
concerning its divine source of authorship, inspiration, and content. It confirms that God is both the architect
and author of its contents. It gives unqualified support for the fact that
God was in absolute control of its composition, as well as the sole source of
its inspiration. It also guarantees the enduring purity and reliability of its
contents and emphasizes that it was not contaminated, adulterated, or altered
by human contact. Furthermore, it not only specifies that God inspired the
messengers used in writing the Word, but it stresses that the message itself is
divinely inspired. These facts are emphasized by the following passages: “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of
Scripture is of any private interpretation,
for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they
were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Pet.1:20,21). “All
Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for
reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Tim. 3:16). “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will
by no means pass away” (Matt. 24:35; see also Psalms 119:152; Matt. 5:18; 1 Pet. 1:25). What is more, in over 3,800 instances in the Old
Testament alone, the divine source of authorship is referred to with such descriptive
phrases as: “God spoke to...”, “The word
of the Lord came unto...”, or “The spirit of the Lord spoke...”1
1 Carl G.
Johnson, “So the Bible is full of
Contradictions”, pp.115, 116.
CONCLUSION. We have carefully examined the supporting
evidence concerning the Bible’s divine authorship and accuracy. The evidence is
conclusive and overwhelming. The facts forcefully substantiate the Bible’s
trustworthiness, accuracy, and divine source of inspiration. Faced with such a
massive arsenal of support, the burden of proof does not rest upon the
shoulders of Christians to prove the Bible’s reliability, but upon the
shoulders of doubters in disproving it. The
sheer weight of evidence should lead the sincere skeptic to the inevitable
conclusion that the Bible is indeed the Word of God. However, it is not
enough to just be intellectually converted. Our ultimate response to the Bible,
its author, and its message must be more than mere passive mental agreement. Being
intellectually convinced is insufficient grounds for the Word of God to have
its intended, transforming effect upon our lives. On the bottom line, the ultimate grounds of response must be based upon
a sincere faith commitment. As we have previously seen, “the word ... did not profit them, not being
mixed with faith” (Heb. 4:2). Faith is essential,
but it must be a faith which acts. The Bible cautions us to “be doers of the word, and not just hearers
only, deceiving yourselves” (Jas. 1:22). The world is filled with intellectually convinced
people who believe the Bible is the Word of God, but have not acted upon
that belief. We must give more than lip service to the Bible. We must act
upon our belief by humbly surrendering our lives to Jesus Christ and accepting
His revelation for our lives contained in the Bible – the Word of God. With
such convincing evidence in favor of the Bible’s reliability, the only sensible
and intellectually honest response boils down to accepting the claim that the
Bible is indeed the inspired Word of God.
William R. Kimball
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Personal Responsibility
It is not what happens that determines the major part of your future. What happens, happens to us all. It is what you do about what happens that counts.
You say, "The country is messed up." That's like cursing the soil and the seed and the sunshine and the rain, which is all you've got. Don't curse all you've got. When you get your own planet, you can rearrange this whole deal. This one you've got to take like it comes.
Walk away from the 97% crowd. Don't use their excuses. Take charge of your own life.
Take advice, but not orders. Only give yourself orders. Abraham Lincoln once said, "Since I will be no one's slave, I will be no one's master."
You must take personal responsibility. You cannot change the circumstances, the seasons, or the wind, but you can change yourself. That is something you have charge of. You don't have charge of the constellations, but you do have charge of whether you read, develop new skills, and take new classes.
Your paycheck is not your employer's responsibility, it's your responsibility. Your employer has no control over your value, but you do.
Quotes by Jim Rohn, America's Foremost Business Philosopher, reprinted with permission from Jim Rohn International ©2011.
As a world-renowned author and success expert, Jim Rohn touched millions of lives during his 46-year career as a motivational speaker and messenger of positive life change.
For more information on Jim and his popular personal achievement resources or to subscribe to the weekly Jim Rohn Newsletter, visit www.JimRohn.com.
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