May
4th 2009
The Bible’s Purpose

posted by steve | on God's Word & Quotes & Gospel

“The Bible’s purpose is not so much to show you how to live a good life. The Bible’s purpose is to show you how God’s grace breaks into your life against your will and saves you from the sin and brokenness otherwise you would never be able to overcome … Religion is ‘if you obey, then you will be accepted,’ but the gospel is, ‘if you are absolutely accepted, and sure you’re accepted, only then will you ever begin to obey.’ Those are two utterly different things. Every page of the Bible shows the difference.”
- Timothy Keller

(Quoted at “Of First Importance”)

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4 Responses to “The Bible’s Purpose”

  1. Jennifer Sarinana on 05 May 2009 at 12:22 pm #

    I really like the quote above. It has only been in the last couple of months that I have realized the IMPORTANCE of knowing God’s word and all of His promises. “A people with out knowledge [of God] will come to ruins” Hosea 4:14

    My Bible only used be opened at church or during a Bible Study. I never allowed God to speak to me during alone time with me. Now, after being a Christian for 5 years, I am starting to dive into the Bible. I am learning so much more about myself and my God. It’s like falling in love all over again!

  2. steve on 05 May 2009 at 4:44 pm #

    Jenn, that’s great! It is amazing to experience the heart changing power of the word of God’s grace. As Tim Keller says, “The Bible’s purpose is to show you how God’s grace breaks into your life against your will and saves you from the sin and brokenness otherwise you would never be able to overcome.” When we read it that way, as Jesus tells us to read it in Luke 24, we become increasingly grateful, and our love flourishes. If we read it as a Manual of Moralism, it does not increase our love for God or people.

  3. Teresita on 08 May 2009 at 10:12 am #

    I agree with Jenn. I am guilty of the same since I started going to church in my late teens. My bible was also only opened during church or during biblestudy. Half the time I really didn’t even bring one. I am even guilty of walking away and ignoring God on more than one occasion since after high school to even last year. I myself have been spending more time reading alone. It can get confusing at times.

  4. steve on 08 May 2009 at 1:21 pm #

    Teresa,

    The simple fact is that a relatively small percentage of professing Christians read their Bible regularly. And, I agree, it is not easy — easy to be consistent, or easy to understand . . . at least understand everything. One of my favorite scriptures is 2 Peter 3:15-16, where even Peter acknowledges that some of what Paul wrote is hard to understand. When I have found the Bible hard to understand at times, I find great comfort in knowing that not even Peter, the apostle, found it easy. But the Holy Spirit teaches us as we keep reading and stay under the teaching of those whom God has gifted to teach.

    Thanks for your comment. There are many others who can totally identify with you. Probably the best advice I can point you to is this post from last year, How To Read The Bible Well.