10 MORE REASONS TO HAVE FAITH IN GOD’S WORD

[Chad]

Strengthening Our Reliance Upon Biblical Truth
By Charles F. Stanley

We can trust that the Bible is the absolute Word of God—without errors. When we are fully assured of this truth, we have a strong conviction that guides our lives. A conviction is something we are so thoroughly convinced is true that we’ll take a stand for it regardless of the consequences, whereas a preference is a belief that could change under certain conditions. When we begin to understand the truth of God’s Word, we’ll develop an awesome respect for the Scriptures (Isa. 66:2). As we examine our lives, we must determine whether we live by convictions or preferences.

As we recently learned, there are many reasons we can trust that the Bible is the absolute Word of God. To further strengthen this conviction, consider these 10 additional truths:

1. The Bible describes Jesus’ resurrection. Although He died and was buried, Christ overcame death through His resurrection and is now seated at His Father’s right hand in heaven making intercession for us (Col. 3:1).
   
   
2. The Scripture tells us how to handle temptation. According to 1 Corinthians 10:13, God “will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.”
   
   
3. The Word identifies the person of the Holy Spirit. He is the third member of the Trinity who indwells and seals believers as members of God’s family. He continually works in our lives to help us understand His Word and enable us to live godly lives.
   
   
4. The Bible teaches us how to face trials and difficulties. The apostle Paul was greatly used by God, yet he suffered tremendously. While in prison, he wrote some of the New Testament Epistles that even today help us know how to handle our troubles.
   
   
5. Scripture is a fountain of encouragement. Believing God’s Word brings blessed assurance and promises of peace and forgiveness (John 14:27; 1 John 1:9).
   
   
6. It explains what happens at death.The Bible is our only reliable source regarding what awaits us after death. If we’re believers in Christ, we know that we’ll immediately be present with the Lord when we die (2 Cor. 5:8).
   
   
7. God’s Word assures us of Christ’s return and our future reward.Jesus has promised to return for us one day and take us to the place He has prepared for us in His Father’s house (John 14:2-3).
   
   
8. The Bible also warns us of coming judgment. According to Hebrews 9:27, “It is appointed for men to die once, and after this comes judgment”. Those who have rejected Christ will be judged according to their sins, but those who have received Him as Savior will be judged for the purpose of being rewarded.
   
   
9. Scripture reveals future events. In the book of Revelation and other biblical prophecies, God tells us everything we need to know, but not everything we’d like to know.
   
   
10. The Bible is the indestructible Word of the living God. Throughout history, people have mocked and scoffed, and even tried to destroy the Bible, but God has preserved His Word so that it will stand forever (Isa. 40:8). It is to be believed, valued, and obeyed.
    

Is the Word of God your most precious and most often used possession? When we value Scripture, we’ll read it regularly, frequently, and trust it to guide our lives. If your time with God and His Word has taken a back seat to other responsibilities in your life, commit now to making it a priority again. You’ll be amazed at the blessings you’ve been missing!

This article was originally published on June 5, 2016, and is adapted from the Sermon Notes for Dr. Stanley’s message “Your Convictions About the Bible” which airs this weekend on TV.

 

[NetChaplain]

A conviction is something we are so thoroughly convinced is true that we’ll take a stand for it regardless of the consequences, whereas a preference is a belief that could change under certain conditions.

Hi Brother and thank you for your site labors! What is presented here concerning "regardless of the consequences" shows, and it has been said, that faith does not function according to experiences (consequences) nor explanations, but by acceptance that God's Word is always true (as you've also presented).

If we had physical proof of the Word of Truth prior to believing, it would be a "weak" faith, to which many of those in God prior to Christ's earthly walk were accustomed (1 Co 1:22). Faith and proof teeter with one another, in that when proof is up--faith is down. Though faith grows only by trust, it still confirms itself after faith has ran its course!

Blessings to all on this site!