John 5:39-40 says, “You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal
life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.”
You’ve probably heard the expression “It’s not what you know—but who you know!” That’s really true in the
Christian life as revealed in these verses. I believe it is important to know the Bible as “Your Word is a lamp
to my feet and a light for my path.” (Psalm 119:105) God’s Word sheds light on how we should live our
lives with peace and joy even with the reality of pain and disappointment.
The Bible tells us how the world was created, has accounts of people who followed God’s directives while
others chose to do their own thing without regard to His will. The Bible shares the good, the bad, and the
ugly that happens in the lives of people from Eden to Revelation.
There are many people whose stories are shared in scripture that lead to the plan of salvation. Abraham
was living comfortably at home when God called him to move to Canaan, he trusted God and moved. God
promised Abraham was to be the father of a great nation and in his old age Isaac was born. God put
Abraham to the test by asking him to sacrifice his only son and was found obedient to God. “I swear by
myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I
will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on
the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your
offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.” Genesis 22:16-18
This story in Genesis is one of many that point to God’s plan for his people that there is hope of being
reconciled to God through His plan of salvation. Read John 5:39-40 again and understand it’s not scripture
that saves us but the Word becoming flesh—JESUS who is the way, the truth, and the life. Scripture points
to Jesus and His saving power for those who accept and believe in Him. We can be thankful for God’s
Word and for how it reveals God’s great love for us through Jesus. Praise God from who all blessings flow!
George Bonnema