Many statements in Scripture indicate that the Bible is given to us for more than satisfying our curiosity about what God is like, what He has done in the past, or what He will do in the future. Its intended impact on lives is seen in that the Bible convicts (Heb. 4:12–13), regenerates (2 Tim. 3:15; 1 Peter 1:23), nurtures (2:2), cleanses (Ps. 119:9; John 15:3; 17:17; Eph. 5:25–26), counsels and guides (Ps. 119:24, 105), prevents sin (v. 11), renews (vv. 50, 93, 107, 149, 154, 156), strengthens (v. 28), sustains (vv. 116, 175), gives wisdom (vv. 98, 130, 169), and delivers (v. 170).
The
Scriptures are called a fire, to consume false teaching (Jer. 23:29); a hammer,
to shatter people’s hard hearts (v. 29); food, to sustain one’s soul (Ps.
119:103; Jer. 15:16; 1 Cor. 3:2; Heb. 5:13–14; 1 Peter 2:2); a light, to guide
our paths (Ps. 119:105); and a sword, for offense against Satan (Eph. 6:17; cf.
Luke 4:4, 8, 12). In Psalm 119 the psalmist used many verbs to speak of his
response to God’s Word: walk according
to, keep, obey, follow, trust in, seek out, delight in, meditate on, consider,
rejoice in, see, understand, hope in, teach, speak of, remember, not forget,
not forsake, not depart from, not stray from, not turn from, believe in,
consider, long for, love, stand in awe of, tremble at, sing of, and choose.
Having been
born again by the Word of God (1 Peter 1:23), believers are to grow in the Lord
by the same means—God’s Word (2:2). In application, then, we are concerned
about relating the Bible to life today. This involves seeing how the Bible,
written to initial audiences thousands of years ago, relates to audiences
today—and how we should respond to it. Do the Scriptures have relevance for
today, and if so how is that relevance determined? What is the significance of
the Bible to us? How do we determine how we should respond?[1]
[1] Campbell,
Donald K. 1991. “Foreword.” In Basic Bible Interpretation: A Practical Guide to Discovering Biblical
Truth, edited by Craig Bubeck Sr., 280–81. Colorado Springs, CO: David C.
Cook.
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