Thoughts for Life: The Message of the Bible

Billy Graham: You may ask me today, "What is the message of the Bible?" The message of the Bible is Jesus Christ.

The Bible is concerned only incidentally with the history of Israel or with a system of ethics. The Bible is primarily concerned with the story of Humanity's redemption through Jesus Christ. (Google image, Open Bible)

If you read Scripture and miss the story of salvation, you have missed its message and its meaning. The story of Jesus can be traced through the Bible.

In Genesis, He is the Seed of the Woman
In Exodus, He is the Passover Lamb
In Leviticus, He is the Atoning Sacrifice
In Numbers, He is the Smitten Rock
In Deuteronomy, He is the Prophet
In Joshua, He is the captain of the Lord's hosts
In Judges, He is the Deliverer
In Ruth, He is the Heavenly Kinsman
In 1 and 2 Chronicles, He is the Promised King
In Nehemiah, He is the Restorer of the Nation
In Esther, He is the Advocate
In Job, He is My Redeemer
In Psalms, He is My Song
In Proverbs, He is Wisdom
In Ecclesiastes, He is My Goal
In the Song of Solomon, He is My Satisfier
In the Prophets, He is the coming Prince of Peace
In the Gospels, He is God in Christ Jesus, come to redeem
In Acts, He is alive in the Church
In the Epistles, He is Christ at the Father's right hand
In Revelation, He is the Mighty Conqueror

The message of Jesus Christ, our Savior, is the story of the Bible—It is the story of salvation; it is the story of the Gospel; it is the story of life, peace, eternity and Heaven. The whole world ought to know the story of the Bible.

But if this Gospel is hidden today from anyone reading these words, it is hidden because you have never opened your Bible—or you have opened it, but with a closed mind.

He Bridges the Gap

The story of the Scriptures is the story of your redemption and mine through Jesus Christ. The Scriptures teach the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. Jesus Christ is the Gospel. His death, burial and resurrection is the Gospel story, and without Him you are lost and doomed.

The Bible teaches that there is a hell and a Heaven. The way to Heaven is by receiving and trusting Jesus Christ. The Bible says, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). The Bible says, "The wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23). The Bible says, "The soul who sins shall die" (Ezekiel 18:20).

And the Bible says the only way to bridge the gap between us and God is through Christ. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6).

Today you can accept the Christ of the Bible. You can know peace of soul, peace of conscience and peace of mind by letting Him come into your heart by faith.

Billy Graham

Will you now, as you read these words, open your heart to Christ?

(pp. 18, 19 of THE BIBLE: The Word of God, in DECISION, The Evangelical Voice for Today, March 2019)

[1951 Renewed 1079; Revised 1993, 1997, 2000) BGEA]

(Bold type added)

Let's pray-

Father, some may ask what the message of the Bible is. May they read today's Faith Message to find out the answer from a man of faith, who preached all over the world the clear answer.
The Bible is primarily concerned with the story of man's redemption through Jesus Christ, Your Son. Help us not miss this story of salvation throughout the Bible.
You've made it clear that we can only bridge the gap we have between us and You is through Jesus.
May the readers believe this, and give their lives to You for the salvation You offer them. I pray this in Jesus' name. Amen

Today's Bible Verses:

Jeremiah 17:7–8 (NKJV)

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,

And whose hope is in the LORD.

For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters.

Which spreads out its roots by the river,

And will not fear when heat comes;

But its leaf will be green,

And will not be anxious in the year of drought,

Nor will cease from yielding fruit."

Ps. 119:105 NLT""Your word is a lamp to guide
my feet and a light for my path."

John 5:39 (NKJV) "Search the scriptures; for in
them you think you have eternal life; and these
are they which testify of me."

56 - 60 of 100 one-line Scriptures for those of you who want to learn some more this week-

56. Ps. 34:15 "The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto heir cry."
57. 1 Peter 1:15 "But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation."
58. 1 Peter 5:6 "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time."
59.Luke 5:16 "And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed."
60. Prov. 28:13 "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy."

Today's quote-

~ Sharon Jaynes- The Bible tells us that the Scriptures are alive. John calls Scripture “the word of life” ( John 1:1). Peter calls Scripture the “living and enduring word of God” (I Peter 1:23). “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edge sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). (From her post, Slow Down and Listen)

Words of wisdom-

~ God's gospel is good for every part of our lives. He knows all about us and wants us to walk in His anointing.

~ When we give our plans to the Lord and submit them to God, He'll guide us through each day.

Today's popular post-

The Power of the Word of God: Part 3

R. A. Torrey: "God's Word has Power to cleanse. The Word of God has power not only to take impurity out of the heart, but to cleanse the outward life as well."

Upcoming posts-

Power in the Promises

17th- Saturday's post by Lee Forbes

Learning to Listen

24th- Saturday's post by Max Lucado

Through the Eyes of Love
31st- Saturday's post by Bill Myers

#1 The Search of Happiness
9/3rd- Tuesday's first of 8 posts by Billy Graham