By the Book

Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. 

-- John 17:17  

Can we really believe in the Bible? After all, some people say it's too old to be relevant in the 21st Century. Others doubt the possibility of all the miracles it reports. And still others believe that the Bible is no greater than the texts used by other religions.

So what makes the Bible stand out above every book ever written?

First, the Bible claims to be God's Word. And then it backs it up with dozens of prophesies (predictions) of events that eventually happened decades or centuries later. For instance, the Old Testament records in detail God's plan for saving mankind through a Messiah. And as we read in the New Testament, Jesus eventually fulfilled these prophesies in person through His birth, ministry, death and resurrection.

Historically and scientifically accurate, the Bible is also the most studied and critiqued book in history. Try as many have, no one has been able to disprove its claims.

What the Bible says about daily living is yet another reason to believe in the Scripture's validity. It advises us about friendship, marriage, money, health and much, much more. What was true 2,000 years ago remains so today.

And that's not surprising. After all, the Bible is God's owner's manual for our lives. It was written centuries ago to lead its first readers to abundant life. And in 2013, God's Word still does the same for you and me.

"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart," Jesus invites us through Matthew's Gospel, "and you will find rest for your souls."