The Bible
“You
search the Scriptures, for in them you think you
have eternal life; and these are they which testify
of Me” (John 5:39)
The Bible has changed the lives
of countless millions since the Lord introduced it
into this world. It was given to humanity a little
at a time, and it unfolded through the lives of men
and women, boys and girls, who were mostly just
ordinary people like you and me. The Scriptures,
the Bible, changed me and it can revolutionize your
life as well.
These quotes about the Word of
God, the Bible, are interesting and surprising:
-
Italian Astronomer Galileo (1564-1642): “I
believe that the intention of Holy Writ was to
persuade men of the truths necessary to
salvation; such as neither science nor other
means could render credible, but only the voice
of the Holy Spirit.”
-
English Scientist Sir Isaac Newton
(1642-1727): “No
sciences are better attested than the religion
of the Bible.”
-
French Philosopher Jean Jacques Rousseau
(1712-1778): “I must
confess to you that the majesty of the
Scriptures astonishes me… if it had been the
invention of men, the inventors would be greater
than the greatest heroes.”
-
German Philosopher Immanuel Kant
(1724-1804): “The
Bible is the greatest benefit which the human
race has ever experienced. A single line in the
Bible has consoled me more than all the books I
ever read besides.”
- U.S.
President George Washington (1732-1799):
“It is impossible to
rightly govern the world without God and the
Bible.”
-
Emperor of France Napoleon Bonaparte
(1769-1821): “I never
omit to read it, and every day with the same
pleasure… The soul can never go astray with this
Book for its guide.”
-
General Robert E. Lee (1807-1870): “In
all my perplexities and distresses, the Bible
has never failed to give me light and strength.”
- U.S.
President Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865): “This
Book… is the best gift God has given to man… But
for it we could not know right from wrong.”
-
Danish Philosopher Soren Kierkegaard
(1813-1855): “When
you read God’s Word, you must constantly be
saying to yourself, ‘It is talking to me, and
about me.’”
-
Russian Novelist Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910):
“I was dazzled by the
revelation of the truth (in the Bible) and
obtained complete answers to the questions: What
is the meaning of my life? And the meaning of
other people’s lives.”
- U.S.
President Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919):
“A thorough knowledge
of the Bible is worth more than a college
education.”
-
American Orator & Politician William Jennings
Bryan (1860-1925): “The
Bible holds up before us ideals that are within
sight of the weakest and the lowliest, and yet
so high that the best and noblest are kept with
their faces turned ever upward.”
-
American Movie Producer Cecil B. DeMille
(1881-1959): “After
more than sixty years of almost daily reading of
the Bible, I never fail to find it always new
and marvelously in tune with the changing needs
of every day.”
- U.S.
President Franklin Delano Roosevelt
(1882-1945): “I feel
that a comprehensive study of the Bible is a
liberal education for anyone. Nearly all of the
great men of our country have been well versed
in the teachings of the Bible.”
-
American Novelist John Steinbeck
(1902-1968): “Give me
a used Bible and I will, I think, be able to
tell you about a man by the places that are
edged with the dirt of seeking fingers.”
-
Chinese Theologian Watchman Nee
(1903-1972): “The
Bible. What shall we say of it? There is no
other book like it. Throughout the centuries no
book has affected mankind quite like this one.”
The Word of God, the Bible, is
very much like a treasure. Actually it IS a
treasure, for as we have been seeing in these quotes
from those who have benefited from the Word of God,
the Bible will change your life. Hitting the
lottery or being born into money does not even BEGIN
to compare with the treasure that we call the
Bible. It is also like a treasure MAP, for it leads
to even more.
In our Scripture verse for
today, we find Jesus helping us understand what He
does for you and me. He was addressing a group of
Jewish leaders, who mistakenly believed they knew
and understood everything the Bible contains. They
had responded to some of it and thought they had it
all. They felt they already knew all there is to
know.
Jesus’ listeners had studied
the Bible, but they listened to their pride even
more. Others have immersed themselves in the Koran,
the Vedas, the Book of Mormon or whatever
“scriptures” are taught in the particular culture
they admire or live in. We’ve seen recently that
some will die for what they believe. Suicide
bombers have taken not only their own lives, but
also take with them anybody else they can blow up,
because of so-called “religious” beliefs. The Bible
reveals that God’s Son took our place – He died so
we don’t have to die, and He removes any need we
might have to harm others.
Jesus told to His listeners
that the Bible is like a Treasure Map leading to
Him. He said, “You search
the Scriptures, for in them you think you have
eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me”
(John 5:39). He also said, “He
who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me
has everlasting life, and shall not come into
Judgment, but has passed from death into life”
(John 5:24). The Bible is leading you to the
Christ, the Son of the Living God, who gives us – “life.”
And there’s even more.
Earlier, the words of notable
persons who had opinions about the Bible were
quoted. All of them had been deeply moved by the
true Scriptures, the Word of God. The Bible is
wonderful, and it will lead you to – everything!
The “Treasure” we call “The Bible” includes
information about other related treasures, including
this: Jesus is actively PRAYING for you. He said, “I
will pray the Father, and He will give you… the
Spirit of truth” (John 14:16-17). The Bible
will lead you to Christ, who died so you might have
“everlasting life.”
He is praying that you will receive God’s Holy “Spirit”
who simply is the “truth.”
Dear God, open the Bible to my
understanding, that I may find Your Son. Heal me of
my pride, and let me receive Your Holy Spirit. In
Jesus Name. Amen.
