The Bible > x

So combined with personal study, current (extremely applicable) circumstance, and time spent in the Bible I felt like sharing what I have learned about the Bible.  Specifically it's superior sufficiency to ANY form of instruction in the Christian walk.  That's what I mean by the title "the Bible > x".  For teaching on correct doctrine and practice to give glory to God, all we need is Scripture and I want to share how I see that from Scripture itself.  But a few starting points before I show the meat of what I learned.

I have read and watched a lot of stuff regarding this.  Two really influential minds on the matter have been Ravi Zacharias and Joe Boot.  Both are Christian apologists, Joe Boot is now a pastor in downtown Toronto.  If we want to know what is true and act on the truth then it can't come from ourselves.  If it did, then it would be subjective because we are all finite people.  Truth has to come from a transcendent objective source and I believe without a shred of doubt that the source is my God, my Savior, Jesus Christ in the trinity that we know is the Christian God.  

So in a way I concede that the "x" specifically that I am dealing with here is personal revelation.  Those people who say claim absolutely "God told me so" even when the Bible contradicts.  So I want to try and show how the Bible describes that it will always trump, always hold authority, always be superior, and myself and anyone who claims Christ must obey God's written Word.  Don't think I am trying to bash specific denominations or other believers.  But this is my honest conviction and my prayer is that it will encourage you to follow Christ closer and bolder because that is transformation I believe the Bible brings.

Personal devotions have been in Jeremiah for the past few weeks.  I saw myself in chapter 23 today.  There has been recurring themes of prophesy to lives of holiness, repent of idoltary, judgment of captivity, but God's faithfulness to bring them back.  Jer 23:23-32 really jumped out at me specifically 28.  There were many false prophets who spoke by dreams claiming to be "the Word of God" but really spoke in a way that encouraged Israel's idol worship.  The dream speakers and the true prophets are compared to "straw" and "wheat" were one is useless and the other is of prophet.  God's word often came to His true prophets through dreams and visions.  But these "straw" false prophets were not giving the Word of God.  Those who were faithful to God's true Word that He gave (often in dreams and visions) would be faithful to speak God's Word and it would direct them to true worship of the father and holiness, not idol worship and immorality.  

So there were false and true profits of value and not in the Old Testament whom God did speak to in dreams and visions.  Does God speak in the same manner now as He did to the prophets?  The Bible says no, God does not.  For that take a look at Hebrews 1:1-4.  Simply said, God does not speak through  prophets but through His Son, Jesus who is superior.  Okay then, how do we know Jesus is superior?  John 1:1-5, 14-17.  Jesus the Christ is the "Word" from the beginning and the "Word" that dwelt among men.  While through Moses the law was written through Christ TRUTH and GRACE came.  Jesus is superior because he is the sustainer of existence, He has existed transcendently and objectively, and He has brought us truth to live by.  Okay great thats fantastic.  Where is this truth and how can I learn it Jason?  Easy.  The Bible.  The gospels are His very words, teaching, and passion of salvation.  The letters are written by men who saw the risen Christ and have the exact of His teachings.  The truth of Jesus is not limited to the New Testament.  Don't try to be a red letter only or NT only Christian.  Don't think you can do away with the Old Testament.  John 5:46, Christ says if you believe Moses you would believe Him for He talked about Him.  1 Corinthians 15:1-5 shows that the gospel happened "according to Scripture" that is the law and the prophets.  

All 66 books of the Bible and Inspired by God.  All are profitable for right teaching and holy living.  It is the very breathed out Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17).   The Bible is superior than whatever other form you might hold for receiving revelation or instruction from God.  He has simply and clearly revealed that through His Word, through Jesus Christ our Savior.  When we read any part of the Bible it should be done show with lenses pointing you toward Christ.  To do anything else, gain teaching or follow Him, without testing it in Scripture, could be the difference between straw and wheat.  Profitable or unprofitable.  One of the last things our Saviour Himself said before going to the cross was "Sanctify them in the truth.  Your Word is truth." (John 17:17)

sincerely,

jlock