For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12

You will never have the power to live a full and fruitful godly life until you choose God's Word as your final authority. So let me ask you: Have you made the choice to obey God's Word? Sadly, many people treat the Bible as a sorry substitute for their authority.

Some People Treat the Bible as an Hors d'oeuvres Tray

If Kathy and I came over to your house for dinner, I bet we wouldn't be in the door five minutes and you'd offer us a tray of some hot goodies. I'd look at it and say, "That one looks really good. Aw-that probably has too many calories . . . I want this one."

Many people pick and choose Bible passages based on what suits their taste: "I really like the part in Romans 8 about how much God loves me, and I really like that 2 Corinthians 12 about how 'God's grace is sufficient,' but I'll skip the parts about forgiveness, or repentance, or hell."

The Bible is not your authority as long as you're picking and choosing what you accept.

Some People Treat the Bible like Rental Car Insurance

I would guess that most people waive the extra rental car insurance. The costs are plenty already. I haven't had an accident in ten years. What are the chances that I'm going to have an accident today? Slim. No, I don't need the insurance.

A lot of people treat the Bible like that. In an emergency I need the Bible, but I doubt I'll have a crisis today, so I think I'll pass. Technically, you should get up and spend some time in God's Word, but instead you grab a cup of coffee and rush out the door. I'll probably be OK today without it.

Some People Treat the Bible like a Seat Belt

Of course you wear a seatbelt-but only because it's the law. And that crazy bell won't quit ringing until you click it. If you could get behind the dashboard and rip that bell out, I think you'd wear your seat belt less.

Some people treat the Bible like that. Yeah, I read the Bible because it's the law. And also because I can't get the guilt to quit ringing in my ears if I don't. So to silence the alarm, you spend a few minutes perusing it every day.

Instead of an authority to guide your life, people minimize the Bible by treating it like:

• An hors d'oeuvres tray - where you can pick or choose.
• Rental car insurance - that you're glad to have, but only in an emergency.
• A seat belt - a nuisance that cramps your style.

How sad. If this characterizes your thinking in any way, come back to the priority of God's Word in your life and let it be your authority. -James MacDonald

Your law, LORD, is perfect, reviving the soul; Your testimony, LORD, is sure, making wise the simple; Your precepts, LORD, are right, rejoicing the heart; Your commandment, LORD, is pure, enlightening the eyes. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. Amen. (Psalm 19)

1. What is the Bible to me? How do I know?
2. Can I think of a time when the Bible changed what I did or what I thought about something?