Main Point
God’s Word is true and was given to His people for a purpose. We should be careful to rightly interpret and apply Scripture to our lives.
"37 The Father who sent me has himself testified about me. You have not heard his voice at any time, and you haven’t seen his form. 38 You don’t have his word residing in you, because you don’t believe the one he sent. 39 You pore over the Scriptures because you think you have eternal life in them, and yet they testify about me. 40 But you are not willing to come to me so that you may have life.
41 “I do not accept glory from people, 42 but I know you — that you have no love for God within you."John 5:37-42 CSB
The Word Proves True (John 5:37-42)
People will always come against the truth and try to sway God’s people to believe lies over truth
The Word of God proves the truth of Jesus, and Jesus proves the truth of the Word of God. Neither contradicts the other and both are without flaw or error.
People can read and memorize the Word of God yet still miss out on a relationship with Jesus.
"14 Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to fight about words. This is useless and leads to the ruin of those who listen. 15 Be diligent to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth. 16 Avoid irreverent and empty speech, since those who engage in it will produce even more godlessness, 17 and their teaching will spread like gangrene. Hymenaeus and Philetus are among them."
2 Timothy 2:14-17 CSB
"18 I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book. 19 And if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share of the tree of life and the holy city, which are written about in this book.
20 He who testifies about these things says,“Yes, I am coming soon.”
Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!
21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with everyone. Amen."Revelation 22:18-21 CSB
The Word Must Be Treated Correctly (2 Timothy 2:14-17; Revelation 22:18-21)
You cannot stand for what you don’t know. This reinforces the need for us to be in the Word and to know the Word.
When we take our eyes off the truth and focus on the opinions and thoughts of people, we easily get led astray.
Even those who know truth can get caught up in lifestyles and habits that are far from God. When we exchange the truth for a lie it will be to our ruin.
"3 This is how we know that we know him: if we keep his commands. 4 The one who says, “I have come to know him,” and yet doesn’t keep his commands, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoever keeps his word, truly in him the love of God is made complete. This is how we know we are in him: 6 The one who says he remains in him should walk just as he walked."
1 John 2:3-6 CSB
The Word Keeps Us from Sin (1 John 2:3-6)
We don’t have to live in doubt or uncertainty. The Bible makes it clear that we can know we have been using Scripture correctly when we know Him the way He desires us to.
It’s not enough to only say you want to be like Jesus; you must live in accordance with this proclamation.