People often reject the Bible because they claim that it has no relevance today. Is that true? Many believers have the same lament.

In the last article I gave 3 of the 5 reasons I believe the Bible is still relevant.

• It teaches us through the Biographies of both the good and the bad.
• It teaches us through Inspired wisdom.
• It teaches us about human Behaviors.

“Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.”

(1Cor 10:11-12)

Here are the last 2 of 5 reasons the BIBLE is still relevant to us today.

the BIBLE is relevant today because… It teaches about the origination of LOVE, and it teaches us how to LOVE. (more on this next month)

John 3:16.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

1John 3:16.

Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

1 John 4:7-11.

[7] Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

[8] He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

[9] In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

[10] Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

[11] Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

1John 5:3.

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

John 14:15.

If ye love me, keep my commandments.

We Read the BIBLE to learn about true LOVE

the BIBLE is relevant today because…It teaches through the EXPERIENCES of others whether good or bad.

We can learn from Cain & Abel (Gen 4), Moses’ mistake at Meribah (Num 20), Solomon’s mistakes in the many women he had (1Kings 11:3). We can learn from Esther’s example of bravery, and her uncle’s example of doing what is right.

“… I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish” (Est 4:16b).

It’s good to learn from our own experience, but it’s so much better to learn from other’s EXPERIENCE, especially their mistakes.

You don’t really want to make tragic mistakes yourselves that can leave permanent scars or worse, cost your life. “By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh” (Heb 11:4).

We Read the BIBLE to learn through the EXPERIENCES of others.

The Bible is Relevant for us today as stated in this beautiful summary statement made so many years ago.

“This Book contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers.

Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you.

It is the traveler’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword, and the Christian’s charter. Here paradise is restored, heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed.

Christ is its grand object, our good its design, and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet.

Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. It is given you in life, will be opened in the Judgment, and be remembered forever.

It involves the highest responsibility, will reward the greatest labor, and will condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents.”

This anonymous selection is a great tribute to the scriptures and also to the one who had the insight to write it.

Spencer