The Bible Is The Rule Book: What Rule Hath God Given

Q. 2. What rule hath God given to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him?
A. The Word of God, which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments,(c) is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him.(d)

(c) Matt 19:4-5; Gen 2:24; Luke 24:27,44; 1 Cor 2:13; 1 Cor 14:37; 2 Pet 1:20-21; 2 Pet 3:2,15-16

(d) Deut 4:2; Ps 19:7-11; Isa 8:20; John 15:11; John 20:30-31; Acts 17:11; 2 Tim 3:15-17; 1 John 1:4

(c1) Luke 24:27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. (c2) 1 Corinthians 14:37 If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord. (c3) 2 Peter 1:20-21 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

(d1) John 15:11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. (d2) 2 Timothy 3:15-17 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (d3) 1 John 1:4 And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.

Our world swims in a sea of confusion regarding who or what has the authority to instruct us how we should live. What is the standard of right and wrong, true and false, wisdom and foolishness? Here are just a sampling of authorities which compete:

The government, Hollywood, actors and actresses, large corporations like Apple, Target, or Harley Davidson, churches, Priests or other religious leaders, tv in general, news reports, sports authorities, Facebook, Twitter, or any other social media, logicians, teachers, philosophers, doctors, lawyers, the society as a whole (general consensus), schools, music, movies, artists, our family, a group of friends, boy scouts, a.a, book authors; both past and present, Buddha, Mohammad, or the Taliban. And last but certainly not least, me; human autonomy.

With so many competing voices for truth, which one is above all authority? Which one has the right to trump and silence all other truth claims?

The Bible is the only rule to direct us how we should live; how we can glorify God and enjoy him forever. The Scriptures, both the Old Testament and the New, (as originally inspired) are the very words of God written down for our instruction. The Bible holds all things necessary for life and godliness. It is the one and only source of truth handed down and given to mankind. It is God’s history book, his revelation to us so that we might not be confused regarding our origin, our purpose, our our destination. It tells us who we are, why we are the way we are, and how we can be corrected. It tells us of the promise he has given to mankind to deliver and redeem us from sin. It tells of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Without the Bible, we would be without hope, without direction, and without a promise.

Who has the authority to instruct us on how we should live? God does. And what resource do we have to tell us these instructions? The Bible, the living and abiding Word of God.