Describing the attractiveness of the Bible, Philip Bliss penned the song “Beautiful Words of Life”, which surfaces the Gospel’s call that offers pardon and peace – “wooing us to heaven”. But this is only one facet of God’s Word. The hymn writer is quick to point out that Scripture is meant also to “teach us faith and duty”.
Doubtless, the Bible is the Word of God. Yes, it is written by over 40 different writers of diverse backgrounds, spanning over 1,500 years. Yet, as Paul reminds us: “ 16All Scripture is breathed out by God…” (2 Timothy 3:16). The second half of this verse continues with, “… and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.”
The idea of finding the Scripture as soothingly welcoming and yet also leading towards judgment and correction is seen in John’s experience in Revelation 10:9-10: “ 9So I went to the angel and told him to give me the little scroll. And he said to me, “Take and eat it; it will make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be sweet as honey.” 10And I took the little scroll from the hand of the angel and ate it. It was sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it my stomach was made bitter.”
This “both-and” nature of Scripture has to be our attitude towards Scripture. There will be times when God’s Word brings comfort and peace, and there will also be times when the occasion calls, that God’s Word contain a measure of discipline that may lead to discomfort. As has been well said: “The church is to comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable.” The same holds true for God’s Word. What is our attitude towards Scripture? Let’s take some time to reflect and meditate on Hebrews 4:12.
Richard Lai
