What makes the Bible the greatest book

**The Bible reveals all the truths about God, His will, and His plan for our lives**. Image: Aaron Burden/Unsplash

Around 100 million Bibles are sold or given annually all over the world. But, this ancient text remains a mystery to many people. On the contrary, the authenticity of the Bible has been confirmed and corroborated across many biblical prophecies and archeological findings.

Composed of 66 books, the Bible is the inspired Word of God. It was written by 40 authors — including kings, priests, prophets, fishermen, and farmers — for 1,600 years (from 1500 B.C. to 100 A.D.). Translated into hundreds of languages, billions of people read the Scriptures worldwide and examined them throughout history.

The Bible is God’s mouthpiece. He speaks to all of humanity and each individual. He even knows us by name. Reading the Bible allows God to take over our lives and immerse us in His godly wisdom.

The Immutability of the Living Word of God

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” – Matthew 24:35

God does not change, and neither does His Word. He has breathed life into the Scriptures to reveal His will and glory for the benefit of all humanity. The Bible is the Living Word of God — a collection of sacred scriptures considered Christianity’s primary source of religious teachings.

The Bible is not just a book but the living Word of God that possesses the power to change our lives. It is an essential part of the Christian faith and provides rock-solid and unchanging guidance and comfort to millions worldwide. Former U.S. President Ronald Reagan once remarked, “Within the covers of the Bible are the answers for all the problems men face.”

The Bible Reveals God’s Deity

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” – John 1:1

We believe in God. But, in our somber moments, we wonder about the essential being of our Creator: His nature, personality, divine state, and sometimes, His facial looks. We hear and read about God being one or an entity of the Holy Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

The Bible also tells about His intrinsic qualities:

Omnipotence – An all-powerful God
Omnipresence – Being everywhere at the same time
Omniscience – Source of wisdom and all knowledge

Our finite and frail minds often fail to grasp the essence of God. But, the Bible illuminates the truth. It reveals a benevolent God whose primary concern is to love His beloved creation and have a holy fellowship with them.

The Lord makes Himself known to us when we go through the pages of Scripture. The Bible elucidates the deity of God and His attributes. More importantly, it clarifies Jesus as Lord and Messiah.

Source of Truth and Life

“Jesus answered, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” – Matthew 4:4

In our earthly lives, we are often consumed by the concerns of this world. We worry about our jobs and how to put food on the dinner table. Our pragmatic minds practically lead us to set aside matters regarding faith and the truths of life. We prefer to ponder how to increase our money and possessions rather than have an empowered and happy spiritual life with God.

But, when we dwell on matters like the purpose of life and the perplexing concept of eternity, our moments come to a halt. Our minute understanding and perception of God and faith leads us to more questions, doubts, and insecurities. Without clear answers to our inquiries, we simply revert to the “rat race” and plod forward blindly without meaning and God.

We are all afflicted because of sin and the lack of certainty. Hosea 4:6 says, “My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge.” The Bible provides us the truth, wisdom, and confidence to go on with our journey called life.

The Bible Chronicles the History of God’s People

“Things we have heard and known, things our ancestors have told us. We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done.” – Psalm 78:3-4 NIV

The Bible is a living testament that records the history of humanity. From the time of Creation, the accounts of Israel, and the life of our Messiah, it has accurately documented God’s Word against real-world events.

God’s Word is an anthology of stories about God and His people. The Old Testament tells us narratives about God’s hand and relationship with Israel. On the other hand, the New Testament reveals God’s son, Jesus Christ, as the Messiah and His teachings for all humanity.

Jesus Christ: Our Lord and Messiah

“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” – John 14:6

In our daily grind, we often go through life alone. We feel we are the “masters of our souls and masters of our fates.” During these moments, we function without God and feel that all outcomes are in our hands.

But this faithless mindset leads us to a purposeless state and feelings of unworthiness. We become ignorant of the truth, and our thinking becomes the enemy’s playground—deceiving us of life’s real meaning and intent. Without God, we go through life like robots, devoid of life and spirit.

When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, our paths become illuminated and empowered with His truth. He is the Messiah sent by our Father for the redemption of humanity.

God’s Standard for Moral and Righteous Living

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will.” – Romans 12:2

In the Old Testament, God has laid bare His commands, rules, plans, and will to His people for a pious living and the need for sheer obedience and righteousness. Believers in God and other faith groups have ascribed the doctrine of universal love and the “golden rule” as embodied in these sacred texts.

In the New Testament, God declared Jesus Christ as the Messiah. The gospels proclaim the reality of salvation and ways to attain it.

Christ and the apostles echoed God’s precepts regarding holy and virtuous living. For example, “pay your taxes” and “love your enemies” are two biblical doctrines that validate the wisdom and truth of the Bible.

Reveals God’s Plan for Humanity

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16

The Bible makes clear God’s plan for us. It is not a blueprint for this life alone but a blessed promise of a glorious future. Since creation, God has demonstrated His supreme love for us. Despite our sins and the Fall, His unswerving love remains.

God wants us to hold on to that promise. We are then encouraged not to be swayed by the bitterness of the past or the imperfections and brokenness of the present. Instead, we eagerly look forward to eternal bliss in heaven.

Authority of the Bible

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” – Hebrews 4:12

Much of our time is spent in our workspaces to sustain our families and us. There’s nothing wrong with taking care of ourselves and our loved ones. God commands us to love our neighbors, be responsible and good stewards, and be positive members of our families and society.

The equation becomes faulty when we thrive in our earthly pursuits without God’s Word in our hearts. In such cases, we follow the ways of the world like blind lemmings that are destined for aimless destruction.

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