Latest Updates from TaoChin

INSIGHTS from Bill Bright
Reflections from the late Founder and President/Chairman Emeritus of Campus Crusade for Christ International

The Author And His Book

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right (2 Timothy 3:16, NLT).

Dear friends:

Carl, a Christian leader who had made a mess of his life, wept as he shared his defeat with me.

"As a young Christian," he said, "I was warned that God's Word would keep me from sin -- or that sin would keep me from God's Word."

"For many years," he continued, "I studied and obeyed God's Word faithfully. But a few years ago I became very busy and took less and less time for His Word. So when temptation came, I had no strength to resist. Now my life and marriage have disintegrated, and I am thinking of committing suicide."

Carl's situation was tragic, and he attributed it to getting away from God's Word.

One of the main things that discourages studying the Bible is that we begin to think of it as just a book and forget that it is a message from God Himself and it represents the mind of Christ. Someone has said that the Bible is a love letter from God, written in the blood of God's Son.

The story is told of a young woman who once picked up a book to read but soon laid it down, finding it too dull and difficult to read. Shortly afterward, she met a young man with whom she fell in love. During the course of their courtship, she learned that he was actually the author of the book which she had found so boring. Now she began to read the book again, and this time she read it from cover to cover with great interest and excitement!

Why the renewed interest? Now she knew and loved the author. When we come to know and love Jesus Christ, His Book -- the Bible ??becomes alive and vital to us. We see the Bible as His personal message to us. Such an understanding changes everything.

"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12, NIV).

Yours for helping to fulfill the Great Commission each year until our Lord returns,

Bill Bright