The Bible Is Christ in Print
The Bible is the most popular book in the world, with well over 2 billion copies sold in 300 languages. Still, this book is shrouded in mystery. Almost no one understands its message! Why?
The Bible explains why you were born, where you are headed, and the master plan of God. Herbert W. Armstrong often said that the Bible is our Maker’s instruction book. It shows us how to have real peace, happiness and success.
The Bible also makes plain why this world is suffering so many crises. It reveals the cause of all world problems: human nature. Jeremiah 17:9 states this truth starkly: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” The bloody history of mankind is a result of our “desperately wicked” heart, or human nature.
Jesus Christ said this: “And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not. Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me” (John 5:38-39). You must search the Scriptures to prove God’s plan and His purpose for your life.
Your Bible testifies of Jesus Christ. It is the Word of God. And did you know that Christ is also known as the Word of God? (John 1:1-2, 14). In fact, the Bible is Christ in print.
A true Christian is one who follows Christ (e.g. 1 John 2:6). We must follow His example (1 Peter 2:21). Do you truly heed the Word of God? Many so-called Christians do not. As Christ Himself said, “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46).
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). You can only access God the Father through Jesus Christ. That means you must study your Bible! There is only one “way” to enter God’s Kingdom—through Christ, or the Bible. Christ Himself isn’t visible to human eyes, but your Bible is! Are you really seeking the truth?
Christ made this even more plain: “But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). How can you live by every word of God unless it is written down in the Bible? If you are commanded to live by every word of the Bible, then this book must be Christ in print! Christians aren’t required to live by every word of any other book—because no other book is God’s inspired Word.
Matthew 4:4 is a quote from Deuteronomy 8:3. The New Testament refers to the Old Testament approximately 250 times! Both the Old and New Testaments are God’s Word! Both remain relevant for us today. God expects us to live by every word of the entire Bible.
Are you trying to do that? We are all sinners, but we must not wallow in sin. When you stumble or fall, quickly pick yourself up and correct the problem. Repent—which means change. Otherwise, God will not work with you.
“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth” (John 17:17). God is truth—and the Bible is truth. The Bible is God’s Word. Nobody knows the truth without seeking it from God!
It is by that truth that God sanctifies, or sets apart, a tiny group of believers to do His Work.
God told ancient Israel that He wanted them to live by every word of the Bible, setting an example for the world of how to obey Him. They failed because they were carnal and lacked access to God’s Holy Spirit. Today, God speaks to His Church through the Holy Spirit, unlocking the spiritual truth of the Bible for us.
Do you realize how rare and precious it is to know God?
“God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers [those of ancient Israel] by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds” (Hebrews 1:1-2). The Creator of all things will speak to you—if you will listen! The designer of your mind wants to connect with your mind!
The world spurns the Word of God. That is their way of life. But Jesus Christ, who is “heir of all things”—about to inherit the universe—wants to give you charge over all alongside Him—if you do God’s work today. Revelation 19:7 says that the saints of God are going to marry Him! What a magnificent reward!
God’s loyal people are praised simply for listening to Christ. “He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled” (John 3:29). The Apostle John heard God’s voice and rejoiced! When you hear this voice from beyond the stars, you will celebrate even if you are on the verge of death—because you understand that your next waking moment will be in God’s Kingdom!
Notice the kind of power and brilliance that could be on your side: “Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure” (Isaiah 46:9-10). You need the Holy Spirit in your life! You need a relationship with the Almighty God!
The Word, who later became Jesus Christ, revealed Himself to Moses: “And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you” (Exodus 3:14). I AM THAT I AM! God is who He is—He does whatever He wills to do. Satan cannot hold Him back or thwart His plan at all. He had no chance of derailing Christ from doing His Father’s will (John 6:38). Though Christ technically could have sinned, there was no way He was ever going to compromise with God’s law.
No human or angel could ever compare with the glory and perfection of the Godhead—God the Father and Christ the Son. Who better to give us loving correction and guidance? “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). Inspiration here means God-breathed! Every word of the Bible came right out of His mouth! Translators are imperfect humans who make mistakes, but you can easily discern any errors through diligent study.
If we see that the Bible is Christ in print, then we must obey. God doesn’t just tell us to obey, He also tells us why: “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever” (Isaiah 40:8). This is God’s unbreakable promise! You can always trust in God’s Word. Everything in this physical life is temporary, but His truth lasts forever!