Bible: Is it a Trustworthy Book?
As I heard it put by someone many years ago, the best way to prove what a gun can do is to fire it at something. In a similar way, you will find that when you speak the words or principles of truth taught in the Bible, it will have impact.
Isaiah 55:10-11
10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. [Emphasis added]
In other words, people will be caused to believe it is the Word of God. They may choose not to admit it and resist it, but you can rest assured it always gets the job done. This is a work God does in the individual through His Word. It is actually a work of God the Holy Spirit [the third person of the Trinity—God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit], for it is He who teaches its truth to the recipient. This work He does in the life of the unbeliever is described in other verses of the Bible.
John 16:7-11
7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;
10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. [Emphasis added]
This means they are informed of (1) their need to believe in Jesus Christ, (2) their shortage and need for God’s righteousness, as well as (3) their state of being condemned by the justice of God because of their present condition. Of course, all this can get turned around for blessing provided they choose to accept the truth of God’s message of salvation. In every case, you can rest assured that God will do His work to convince the recipient of his need to accept the truthfulness of the message he is receiving. Therefore, they are left without excuse in dealing with God’s justice.
This next verse is one of my favorites in addressing this subject. The power of God’s Word cannot be resisted. That is, it always accomplishes its objective of causing the recipient to know its truthfulness.
Hebrews 4:12
12 For the word of God is quick [alive], and powerful, and sharper than any two- edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
It can be rightly said that, like a sword would do to the flesh, the Word of God pierces the soul of the one who comes to know its statements.
We are told that all mankind reaches a point of God consciousness, that is, an awareness that there is a Creator to Whom he is accountable. There are several ways he can come to this conclusion. One of them is through his simple observation of God’s creation.
Romans 1:19-21
19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: [Emphasis added]
When man reaches this state of God-consciousness he inevitably makes a decision as to whether or not he wishes to know more. In this next verse we see what happens if he expresses no interest in that knowledge.
21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. [Emphasis added]
However, we find that if there is a desire to know more, because of His love for them God is faithful to reveal more.
John 7:16-17
16 Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.
17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. [Emphasis added]
It is the good news [the gospel] about the work God has done through Jesus Christ to provide a way for his salvation that can lead him to realize that it is to his advantage to accept Jesus Christ as his Savior. It is in that presentation of truth that he can be convicted of his need to accept what he has come to know. Furthermore, it is in this message that God gives the unbeliever exactly what he needs to know and believe to be saved. Our main responsibility is simply to communicate accurate information. That information is spelled out in this next passage.
I Corinthians 15:1-4
1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: [Emphasis added]
It is through simple faith in this message that a person’s life can be changed forever. There are many thousands of people who have gone into eternity who could testify to the truthfulness and the importance of this message. We are told that if a person wants the truth, having a genuine desire for it, he will know his need to accept it. He will fully realize the divine origin of the message.
Again, John 7:17
17 If a man will [desires to] do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. [Emphasis added]
Jesus Christ came into the world speaking only truth. But there were many, even most who chose not to believe Him. These people will be paying a heavy price for that choice for all eternity. On the other hand, those who receive Him will get to enjoy His blessing for all eternity. God freely lets people decide for themselves. As the great Apostle Paul states in this next passage, there’s great contrast between what believers and unbelievers do with the same message of God.
I Corinthians 2:12-14
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
14 But the natural man receiveth not [freely and willfully]the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. [Emphasis added]
Apart from acceptance by faith in the truth God provides, that person is left without hope.
Yes, as per 1 Corinthians 2:14, the “natural man” [the unbeliever] goes his own way, rejecting the truth that is put before him. If he doesn’t change his mind at some point before he dies physically, he will regret that decision throughout all eternity.
