The value of Scripture in Christian preaching highlights its indispensable role as a guide and treasure for the believer's life. It is often depicted as a lamp, a shield, or a hidden treasure that guards the heart and directs the feet (Psalm 119:11; Proverbs 3:3-4). Scripture is presented as the foundation for wisdom and holiness, essential for spiritual growth and victory over sin (Luke 11:28).
Hiding God's word in the heart helps believers avoid sinning against God.
“Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee.” An old Scotchman says: “It is a good thing in a good place for a good purpose.” Many people have the Bible in their heads, or in their pockets; but we need to get it down into our hearts.
Some cultures undervalue life, showing the tragic consequences of false beliefs.
Mard Bird, in “Persian Women and Their Creed,” tells the following:
A Persian Haji’s baby had convulsions and the parents brought it to the Mohammedan village teacher, who said the child was possest, and the only remedy for her disease was for them to buy a prayer of the exact length of the child, and strap it on her back. The child was so long that the cost of the prayer was five dollars, and the parents decided that a girl baby was not worth that much and took her home to die.
Small things can have great spiritual value beyond their size or appearance.
Charles Wagner, in “The Gospel of Life,” points a conclusion worth considering:
In finance, a figure is a figure. Two equal numbers have the same value, and a hundred dollars are twice fifty and twenty times as much as five dollars. But when intentions are involved, it is another matter; then the value of the figures depends no longer upon their size. This is what Jesus causes us to observe. Beware of neglecting the little pennies; there are pennies that are poems, there are pennies that have a soul.
A mother's simple Bible teaching makes Scripture clear and personally meaningful.
A Bible-class teacher was telling of the various translations of the Bible and their different excellences. The class was much interested, and one of the young men that evening was talking to a friend about it.
“I think I prefer the King James version for my part,” he said, “tho, of course, the Revised is more scholarly.”
His friend smiled. “I prefer my mother’s translation of the Bible myself to any other version,” he said.
“Your mother’s?” cried the first young man, thinking his companion had suddenly gone crazy. “What do you mean, Fred?”
“I mean that my mother has translated the Bible into the language of daily life for me ever since I was old enough to understand it. She translates it straight, too, and gives its full meaning. There has never been any obscurity about her version. Whatever printed version of the Bible I may study, my mother’s is always the one that clears up my difficulties.”
Everything we make is available for free because of a generous community of supporters.
Donate