THE BIBLE IS ALL SUFFICIENT

Charles E. Burch

Today in the religious world we hear many conflicting doctrines. When this is questioned, the answer is: "Don't you know that we can't all see the Bible alike? God has given man freedom of choice, you believe your way and I will believe mine, after all we are all going to the same place." It just might be true that those who believe this way may go to the same place, but it won't be heaven.

Man has no authority to change God's Word at all. Paul, writing to Timothy said, "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth: (II Timothy 2:15). Man today needs to study God's word, not some creed book. The apostle Paul wrote, "For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as  in all churches of the saints" (I Corinthians 14:33). If we could all believe as we pleased, and still be pleasing to God, the Bible would be a book of confusion. Paul writing by inspiration said, this is not true. The confusion in the religious world today did not come from God, but from man. Many believe they can improve on God plan, and there by reject the true teaching of the holy scriptures. The sad thing is all people will be judged by God's word, and not by what man says or thinks (John 12:48).

The Bible is all sufficient to lead and direct man to heaven. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable, for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect thoroughly furnished unto all good works" (II Timothy 3:16-17). The apostle Peter wrote speaking of  what God has given us, made the following statement. "According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue" (II Peter 1:3). We can see then that nothing else is needed to guide us to heaven.

All man needs to do is study the Bible, God's truth, and obey it to be acceptable to Him. Jesus said, "and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32). The freedom of which Jesus was speaking is the freedom from sin or the forgiveness of sin. All who teach contrary to the scriptures claim that they are teaching the truth, but Jesus tells us what is the only truth. When Jesus was praying to the Father, He made this statement: "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth" (John 17:17).  Therefore, obedience to the truth will place one in a saved relationship with God. Then he must remain faithful through out life to inherit that heavenly home. Jesus told John to write, "...be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life" (Revelation 2:10).

Do you have the promise of a heavenly home? You do if you have obeyed the gospel and you are living in obedience to God's commands. If you haven't done so, you have no hope at this time. Why not do what God commands?