Like in any race there is a starting point and an end goal.
For most Christians, the starting point is seeking God and learning more about him through the Bible. The end goal is becoming more like Jesus.
What does the Bible mean to you?
The Bible today is taught is some institutions of higher education as literature. It is not, at least in state colleges and universities a required course, but it is offered as an elective. It is taught as a collection of writings that represent different styles of literature that cover history, theism, love in its various forms.
It is certainly not being taught as the word of God or even as an ethical moral guideline for good living.
The Bible, for Christians, is considered the inspired written word of God which reveals His will for mankind. While written over many years “All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness;” 2 Timothy 3:16 (NASB.)
How many Christians today give much thought to how it pertains to them personally? There is a certain percentage of Christians who genuinely study the Bible and seek its application to their lives. They seek after God (YAWEH.) They pay attention to Matthew 6:33 (NASB) “33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided to you.”
To others it is just a reference book which the preacher uses to prepare weekly messages for them. It is nice to hear the message presented and then they go about their daily lives without any introspection, application, or change.
All of that is said to ask one question. What does the Bible mean to you?
You need to decide for yourself what it means to you. If it is just a nice book that has good teaching’s it will probably have little value to you. If it is a book that you rely on for guidance in life it will have a transformative effect on your life.
The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, YAWEH, revealed His will so that people’s lives could be changed. It has always been his desire to bless His people. Blessing encompasses more than just material things though that is one aspect and not necessarily the primary one. Blessings come through internal peace, and external peace, through love and being loved. John 15:13 (NASB) states “Greater love has no one than this, that a person will lay down his life for his friends.”
That is exactly what Jesus did for us on the cross. Christians are on a journey that begins when they become aware of God. That journey will continue the length of their lives on earth and beyond.
Christians are faced with making decisions each day, perhaps each hour or minute that require an understanding of God’s will for them as revealed in the Bible. Psalm 119:105 (New American Standard Bible) states “105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.”
I have been thinking about United flight 93 recently. There was a Christian on that flight who with along with others fought to take control of the hijacked plane which, it is believed, was intended to destroy the White House on September 11, 2001. He had contacted 911 and asked the operator to repeat with him Psalm 23. ” The LORD is my shepherd, I will not be in need. 2 He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. 3 He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For the sake of His name. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. 6 Certainly goodness and faithfulness will follow me all the days of my life, And my dwelling will be in the house of the LORD forever.” (NASB)
As a Christian he knew he would be walking through “the shadow of death” and knew he would emerge triumphant on the other side. Do you have that security? Christ took authority over death at his resurrection.
If you are not a Christian, I would like to encourage you to think about your life as it is today. Will you allow God and His word to impart true life to you? There is a saying “this is the first day of the rest of your life.” If you desire change now is a good time to start.