Purpose of Scripture

The Bible is widely regarded as one of the most popular books of all time. 

In fact, with over 5 billion copies sold, it is the best-selling book in history. On average, the Bible sells about 100 million copies every year - physical copies and digital downloads.

Bible apps, such as YouVersion, have been downloaded hundreds of millions of times, making the scriptures accessible to a global audience through smartphones and tablets. 

Research has found that Bible sales tend to spike during times of crisis. For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a notable increase in Bible purchases as people sought comfort and guidance during uncertain times. 

Thanks to organizations such as the Gideon’s, we have seen free copies of the Bible in hotels, hospitals, and schools around the world.

Individual books and selected passages of the Bible have been translated into over 3,000 languages. The New Testament is fully available in over 1,500 languages, while the complete Bible is available in around 700 languages. 

Beyond its sales, the Bible's influence on culture, literature, and language is evident and profound. Many common phrases and references in English and other languages originate from the Bible. 

So the Bible is available in almost every country around the world, and it continues to be a subject of study, discussion, and devotion for millions of people across diverse cultures and religions.

Despite the Bible’s widespread availability, many persons, even Christians, do not engage in The Word as we should. 

Some of us quite frankly take this important book for granted. We pick it up when it is convenient for us as we seek inspiration during difficult times in our lives. 

For others, the Bible seems too complicated to understand, while there are some folk who will get into arguing about its historical and cultural significance.

I want to encourage us today to take another look at The Bible and recognize just how important it is to our very existence.

2 Tim 3:16-17 Amplified version tells us “All Scripture is God-breathed [given by divine inspiration] and is profitable for instruction, for conviction [of sin], for correction [of error and restoration to obedience], for training in righteousness [learning to live in conformity to God’s will, both publicly and privately—behaving honorably with personal integrity and moral courage]; so that the man of God may be complete and proficient, outfitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

So we have four primary purposes of Scripture: instruction, conviction, correction and training in righteousness. 

Let's break these down.

#1. Instruction or Teaching: If you want to understand life, from the beginning to the end, if you want to understand God and His wonderful plan of salvation, this wisdom is contained in the Bible.

Proverbs 4:2 - “For I give you good doctrine; Do not turn away from my instruction.”

 Romans 15:4 - “For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope and overflow with confidence in His promises.”

Psalm 119:105 - “Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.”

#2. Conviction or Rebuking: Oh how often we go astray. We think we know but we don’t really know. That’s why we falter and come short. We do and say things that get us into trouble. How do we get back to right living? The Word of God is our guide. It highlights our wrong and convicts and corrects us, guiding us back to righteousness.

Hebrews 4:12 - “For the word of God is living and active and full of power [making it operative, energizing, and effective]. It is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as the division of the soul and spirit [the completeness of a person], and of both joints and marrow [the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

Proverbs 6:23 - “For the commandment is a lamp, and the teaching [of the law] is light, And reproofs (rebukes) for discipline are the way of life,”

#3. Correction: As we are convicted of our wrongs, God doesn’t leave us hanging, as some people do. His Word points us to restoration, glory to God. It’s one thing to point out what someone is doing wrong, but if you go a step further and help to bring them back into right standing with themselves and God, that becomes most meaningful.

 

James 1:22-25 - “But prove yourselves doers of the word [actively and continually obeying God’s precepts], and not merely listeners [who hear the word but fail to internalize its meaning], deluding yourselves [by unsound reasoning contrary to the truth]. For if anyone only listens to the word without obeying it, he is like a man who looks very carefully at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he immediately forgets what he looked like. But he who looks carefully into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and faithfully abides by it, not having become a [careless] listener who forgets but an active doer [who obeys], he will be blessed and favored by God in what he does [in his life of obedience].”

Psalm 119:9 - “How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping watch [on himself] according to Your word [conforming his life to Your precepts].”

And #4: Training in righteousness: God is so amazing. Again, He doesn’t take us to a certain point and say well I created you, you chose to sin, yet I rescued you so now you’re on your own. God, in His infinite wisdom and because of His great love, provides us a guide for living a life that is pleasing to Him, a life where we can grow in holiness and good works.

Psalm 119:11 - “Your word I have treasured and stored in my heart, That I may not sin against You.”

1 Timothy 4:7-8 - “But have nothing to do with irreverent folklore and silly myths. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness [keeping yourself spiritually fit]. For physical training is of some value, but godliness (spiritual training) is of value in everything and in every way, since it holds promise for the present life and for the life to come.

Ephesians 2:10 - “For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us].”

2 Peter 1:3-4 - “For His divine power has bestowed on us [absolutely] everything necessary for [a dynamic spiritual] life and godliness, through true and personal knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has bestowed on us His precious and magnificent promises [of inexpressible value], so that by them you may escape from the immoral freedom that is in the world because of disreputable desire, and become sharers of the divine nature.”

Everyone is searching for answers. No wonder the Bible is a best seller. There’s an answer to every problem and guidance on how to live a better life. 

So what is the purpose of scripture? 

>Spiritual wisdom and teachings. 

>Help as we navigate life's challenges. 

>Hope and encouragement, comfort, solace and strength. 

>Life lessons, insight into human behaviour, relationships, and the consequences of actions. 

>A foundation for worship, study, and communal activities. 

>An avenue for personal growth and transformation, through teachings on virtues like love, patience, forgiveness, and humility.

>A primary source for prayer and meditation. 

How valuable is this to our existence?!

Let’s commit today to get more into the study of God’s Holy Word - The Bible. Shall we?

aub - 16 July 2024

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