A Map for Life
These are times of change. Every day we face new decisions, new
demands, and new dangers. How are we to find our way safely through
all of these? How are we to guide our families and especially our
young ones? There are maps for every part of the world. But is
there a map for the greatest journey of all, Life itself?
A Map for Death?
We enjoy birthdays, but they also remind us that none of us is
getting younger! Sadly, every funeral reminds us: We too will
go where we have never been before. The Bible treats death as the
reality it is.
"Death is the destiny of every man; the living should take
this to heart." (Ecclesiastes 7:2)
"Man is destined to die once, and after that to face
judgment." (Hebrews 9:27)
"You do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is
your life? You are a mist that appears for a while and
then vanishes." (James 4:14)
How quickly this one, brief life passes. To ruin it by choosing a
wrong direction would be a terrible waste. Yet how can we be sure
of life’s true purpose and direction? How can we be certain that
we have made the proper preparation for what lies beyond death? Many
people believe that there is a Map to guide us safely through life
and death—The Bible.
>
Can we call any book—“The Book?”
How can a book come to have such a title—“The Book?” As you
will see, the Bible fully deserves that title.
Old Copies
How many ancient copies from the New Testament still exist? Well
over 4000! The oldest of these dates back very closely to the time
when the New Testament was first written. In these matters, no
other ancient book is even near to being like the Bible.
Translation
The Bible was first written in Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek. It has
come into our modern languages through translation. So important
is its message that the Bible (or parts of it) has been translated
into 2,000 languages. Over 80% of the world’s people speak these
languages. No book has been – and continues to be – translated more
widely than the Bible.
Printing
The Bible was the first book printed for the ordinary people.
Year after year the Bible continues to be the “top seller” in the
world. No other book comes close to it.
Honesty
The Bible’s complete truth and honesty make it quite different from
other books and writings that record ancient history. The Bible
shows both the good and bad (even the VERY bad) in Israel’s greatest
leaders. Whether king or slave, rich or poor, man or woman, all were
measured by the same ruler, “the law of the LORD.”
Writing
The Bible was written by 40 men during a period of 1600 years. Since
most of these writers were not alive at the same time, they could
not work together in any direct way. Yet the Bible has one continu-
ing story flowing through it. It forms a complete, united picture.
No other book has been written like this. In the most amazing way,
it joins centuries of history with the highest wisdom.
Following
It is not surprising then that well over a quarter of the world’s
population claims some belief in the Bible. Three great world
religions claim roots linked with the Bible.
>
The Writers of the Bible Claimed to Speak from God
In seeking a Map for life, we should open the Bible because of the
claims it makes. Again and again it assures us that it is the pure
word of God. Look at these examples from the pages of the Bible:
Moses
Moses said the Ten Commandments were written “by the finger of
God” on stone tablets (Exodus 31:18). He reported the God spoke
with him “face to face, as a man speaks with his friend” (Exodus
33:11).
King David
King David said, “The Spirit of the Lord spoke through me; His
word was on my tongue. The God of Israel spoke, the Rock of Israel
spoke (this) to me.” (2 Samuel 23:2-3)
Jeremiah
Jeremiah wrote, “The word of the LORD came to me, saying,”... I
appointed you as a prophet to the nations…you must go to every-
one I send you to and say whatever I command you…” Then the
Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “Now,
I have put my words in your mouth.” (Jeremiah 1:5-9).
There are well over 2000 places in the Bible where the prophets said
things like:
The Lord said unto me...
These are the words of the Lord...
This is what the Lord says...
We must seriously ask, “Did these prophets have a bad habit of lying?
Or were they speaking the truth, since God really did speak through
them?”
Jesus
Jesus assured us that these Bible prophets spoke the truth. Jesus
relied on their reports of history (Matthew 12:40; 24:37-39). He
trusted in all their writings, and taught us to have the same trust
(Matthew 5:17-19; Luke 16:17, 29; 24:27,44; John 5:39-47). Jesus
quoted often from “the Law and the Prophets.” He based His arguments
on specific words they used (Matthew 19:5-6; 22:32). When Jesus did
this, He reminded us,
"The Scripture cannot be broken." (John 10:35)
How can Scripture be so fully trusted? Because it comes from God, not
men. Quoting from Moses’ writing, Jesus said, “Have you not read what
GOD said to you?” (Matthew 22:31). When Jesus quoted from the Psalms,
He said that David spoke “by the Holy Spirit” (Mark 12:36).
Jesus himself claimed to speak from God. Jesus said, “I did not speak
of my own accord, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say
and how to say it. I know that His command leads to eternal life.
So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.”
(John 12:49-50)
Jesus also made this very bold statement of power:
"All authority in heaven and earth has been given unto me;
therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing
them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the
Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have
commanded you..." (Matthew 28:18-20)
The Apostles
The apostles were leaders chosen by Jesus in the early days of
Christianity. Here is how Jesus gave to them His message for all
people:
"The Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name,
will teach you all things and will remind you of every-
thing I have said to you...When He, the Spirit of Truth,
comes, He will guide you into all Truth..." (John 14:26,
16:13).
Thus the apostle Peter, and those with him, taught “by the Holy
Spirit sent from heaven” (1 Peter 1:12; also 2 Peter 3:2; Acts 2).
The apostle Paul was able to say:
"This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human
wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit... What I am
writing to you is the Lord's command." (1 Corinthians 2:13;
14:37)
"When you received the Word of God, which you heard from us,
you accepted it not as the Word of men, but as it actually is,
the Word of God." (1 Thessalonians 2:13)
Scriptures
The Scriptures are the holy writings from God. Even before the New
Testament was completed, this is how Paul describe the importance of
Scripture:
"The Holy Scriptures... are able to make you wise for salva-
tion through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-
breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correction
and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may
be thoroughly equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy
3:15-17)
Paul urged his friend Timothy to be a good student of the Scriptures.
Why? Because they are “the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). The
apostles’ writings make them even more valuable to all who seek truth,
for to the apostles Jesus promised “all truth” (John 16:13). There can
be no doubt what the Bible is claiming to be: The Guide Book, or Map,
from our Maker who gave us our special purpose and who calls us to
fulfill that purpose.
www.wbschool.org
I'm doing 43 things
