The Word of God is inspired, profitable, and sufficient

As adult Christian believers, we don't have to say, "Father watch me!" By faith, we know our identity is in Christ. Our very existence, we owe to Him. And by faith we know He watches us, as much as is eternally possible and all the time. We don't have to ask.

How can you tell whether or not you have the true gospel? Paul gives you three tests.

First, the source of the gospel. Where did it come from? God gave it. It is direct and divine revelation. The gospel is authenticated by its source.

Secondly, by its salvation. Any gospel that is not the gospel of grace is not the true gospel. You can’t beg it. You can’t buy it. You can’t borrow it. You can’t steal it. You can’t earn it. It was bought by Christ on the cross. It is the supernatural work of God.

The third test is its subject. It is the grace of Christ. Jesus is the subject. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible is all about Jesus.

The thing I love about the Old Testament is the thing I love about the New Testament. The Old Testament and the New Testament both are the inspired Word of God. Don’t get the idea that the Old Testament has a message different from the New Testament. All of the Bible is about Jesus. If you read the Bible and you don’t find Jesus, you better go re-read it.

Somebody may ask if you have read the four gospels, and you can answer them, “I’ve read all sixty-six!”

From Genesis to Revelation,

•    It has the same villain – Satan.

•    It has the same hero – Jesus.

•    It has the same purpose – to present salvation in no other name but Jesus.

The LORD himself watches over you! The LORD stands beside you as your protective shade. (Psalm 121:5)

He does not take his eyes off the righteous; He enthrones them with kings and exalts them forever. (Job 36:7)

For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him. (2 Chronicles 16:9).

Does he not see my ways and count my every step? (Job 31:4).

Brethren, friend, loved ones, His eyes are on you! He watches us with delight!

First things First:

Always remember that the ultimate form of special revelation is the Person of Jesus Christ. God became a human being (John 1:1, 14). Hebrews 1:1-3 summarizes it best, “In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son … The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being.” God became a human being, in the Person of Jesus Christ, to identify with us, to set an example for us, to teach us, to reveal Himself to us, and, most importantly, to provide salvation for us by humbling Himself in death on the cross (Philippians 2:6-8). Jesus Christ is the ultimate “special revelation” from God.

Of primary importance in the revealing of God is His Word, the Bible, which is also a form of special revelation. God miraculously guided the authors of Scripture to correctly record His message to mankind, while still using their own styles and personalities. The Word of God is living and active (Hebrews 4:12). The Word of God is inspired, profitable, and sufficient (2 Timothy 3:16-17). God determined to have the truth regarding Him recorded in written form because He knew the inaccuracy and unreliability of oral tradition. He also understood that the dreams and visions of man can be misinterpreted. God decided to reveal everything that humanity needs to know about Him, what He expects, and what He has done for us in the Bible.

Whiled we are trophies of grace, He doesn't look at us just to look at us, nor does He look at us because we’re so great. He does love us. But don’t you look at your own trophy case? Admire your work? Hang your platinum albums on the wall? Pin the pennant up over your bed? He watches us because He will magnify HIS OWN name by us, His trophies of grace. (Ezekiel 36:23).

 

Finally as Christians, we are “strangers and aliens” in a world of unbelievers, as Peter says in 1 Peter 2:11. The older I get, the more keenly aware I am that I don’t think like them, that I don’t have the same desires, motivations and passions. The more I grow in my faith, the more different I feel from many people I come in contact with, and the more open I am about my faith, the more that difference becomes tangible. We are called to be set apart, yet we are in the world for a reason: to share Jesus. It’s often not received with open arms, but it’s what we are commanded to do as followers of Christ.

Blessings,

Raj Kosaraju