WHY WE SHOULD ACCEPT THE BIBLE'S INSPIRATION (Part 8)

By Bob Myhan

It would be impossible to accurately measure the influence that the Bible has had upon mankind. The judicial system, the medical profession, the market place, the family unit, attitudes toward education and benevolence and the status of women have all been influenced positively by the Bible. Even unbelievers will admit that the central figure in the Bible is Jesus of Nazareth, whether they think Him to be a real or an imaginary person. Consider the following, written years ago by an unknown author.

“He was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman. He grew up in another obscure village, where he worked in a carpenter shop until he was thirty. Then for three years he was an itinerant preacher. He never set foot in a big city. He never traveled two hundred miles from the place he was born. He never wrote a book, or held an office. He did none of these things that usually accompany greatness. While he was still a young man, the tide of public opinion turned against him. His friends deserted him. He was turned over to his enemies, and went through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed to a cross between two thieves. While he was dying, His executioners gambled for the only piece of property he had – his coat. When he was dead, he was taken down and laid in a borrowed grave.

“Twenty centuries have come and gone, and today he is the central figure for much of the human race. All of the armies that ever marched, and all the navies that ever sailed, and all the parliaments that ever sat, and all the kings that ever reigned, put together have not affected the life of man upon this earth as powerfully as this One Solitary Life.”

“The Gregorian calendar [which is based on the birth of Jesus] today serves as an international standard for civil use.... Although a variety of other calendars are in use today, they are restricted to particular religions or cultures.” (For more on this subject go to: http://astro.nmsu.edu/~lhuber/leaphist.html)

That is some influence!

#8 THE BIBLE’S DEMANDS UPON MANKIND

At least some of the demands the Bible makes of those who would be in a right relationship with God are such as no mere man would conceive. For example,

1.   We are to love our enemies.

"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than oth­ers? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” (Matt. 5:43-48)

Only if we love our enemies—as well as our neighbors—can it be true that we love as God loves. And only then are we truly His children in the imitative sense.

2.   We are to return good things for evil.

Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but over­come evil with good. (Rom. 12:17-21)

The tendency of mankind is to respond in kind. But God knows exactly how much punishment any evil act deserves. Thus, we are to leave vengeance to him.

3.   We are to deny self.

Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever de­sires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works." (Matt. 16:24-27).

To deny self is to willingly give up a life of ease or indulgence. This, too, is the opposite of man’s tendency.

Would man write a book that purports to be from God and condemns the things he wants to do and requires him to do things he would not, otherwise, want to do? This writer thinks not. What would be gained by such a hoax? &

TRYING NOT TO LOSE

This mind-set causes an athletic to be more concerned about runners behind than the finish line. More than one race has been lost this way. This is a sure way to "snatch defeat from the jaws of victory." Speaking of running, the apostle Paul often compared living for Christ to running a race. In one place he said, "Run in such a way that you might win"---not "run in such a way not to lose." (1 Corinthians 9:24)

The one talent man had this mind-set. "But he who received one talent went away and dug in the ground, and hid his master’s money." When asked why he didn't try to make gain he replied, "I was afraid and went away and hid your talent in the ground." (Matthew 25:28, 25)

There's a lesson here for us. To succeed in living for Christ, we must strive to win, refusing to be encumbered with "trying not to lose" and put to good use the talent (ability) God has given us. Hidden talent is of no value to you or to your Master. Fear of failure must not keep us from doing the Lord's bidding.

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every encumbrance, and the  sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race  that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, Who for the joy set be­fore Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you may not grow weary and lose heart. (Hebrews 12:1-3) & (Via "The Reminder")