“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching the truth, rebuking error, correcting faults, and giving instruction for right living, so that the person who serves God may be fully qualified and equipped to do every kind of good deed.”
(2 Timothy 3:16-17)
Introduction
The Bible Week for the Year 2011 is here again. Let us thank God for the privilege to celebrate the Bible. The Holy Bible is an incredibly fascinating Book and like no other thing, it holds a special place in the minds of Christians around the world. It speaks of God’s love, power and promises to His children regardless of their background, culture, race, gender, age, denomination, or social status. St. Jerome calls it God’s love letter to us, and in addition said: “He who is ignorant of the Scriptures is also ignorant of the power of God and his wisdom. Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ.”I remember a friend saying to me “You know! I can’t forget the incredible power and wonder of the Word of God, which nourishes, liberates, and strengthens me every day.” Indeed, the Holy Scripture is a priceless treasure much love and dear to many Christians, as it offers us hope, inspiration and encouragement to look unto God with confidence and to stay rooted in the heart of Christ drawing on endless grace and strength.
Sacred Scripture
Sacred Scripture could be likened to the life giving air, which purifies and gives new life. Just like oxygen is a life giving element found in the air we breathe, so is the life giving power of the Word of God, which has the wonderful effect in revitalizing, renewing and restoring broken lives, devoid of hope. In fact, there is no investment, which pays such great dividends as giving quality time to wholehearted prayerful reading, listening and applying of Scripture to life. This certainly makes a great difference in our lives, as it strengthens our minds to achieve wholeness and gain consciousness of our oneness with God; and also enlarges our ability to rise triumphantly over stumbling blocks of life and make them stepping-stones to victory in God.
The Bible describes in details God’s loving care for his children, and to know what God is like, we must spend time in his Word. Let’s be encouraged to obey God, spend time in His Word, and fellowship with Bible study and Faith sharing groups for the nourishment of our faith and sanctification of our lives. If only all will learn to know the strategic importance of the living Word of God for the conversion of peoples and transformation of the society. We do not realize the incalculable harm that we inflict upon our lives when we overlook, ignore and relativize the Word of God as Christians.
Beneficial effects and Influence of the Holy Bible
Do you realize how powerful ordinary words can be? Surely you must have experienced the profound impact they can have on your life? Perhaps you have been blessed by a loved one’s expressions of care, love and comfort; or maybe you have seen how destructive people’s words and remarks can be. What we say can heal those around us and draw them to God or drive people away from Him and us.
Great are the beneficial effects and influences produced by Sacred Scripture, as it does the following:
· It purifies, gives new life and builds the Christian Faith
· It nourishes and enkindles the faith of people grown cold by the errors of materialism and atheism,
· It leads to conversion of people and transformation of the society
· Hearers and doers of the Word are blessed
· From the Word emanates power awakening the dormant energies of many hearts, and without doubt, helps us to get out of the valley of despair and strengthens us to overcome obstacles
· As the flower pours out its perfume and fragrance to all to enjoy, so would the Word of God uplift and pour forth blessing to all who accept, believe and live it. So, in this moment of doubts and desperation, of confusion and uncertainty, let’s stand on God’s promise that has given us assurance of victory in Christ Jesus and leading us to freedom and holiness.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I want to affirm that the Biblical Apostolate promoted by the Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN) concerns all in the Church, and all should be concerned about its promotion. BSN is playing a vital role in the education of Christians in the Bible. It is aimed at making the Word of God written in the Bible in many languages known, loved, cherished and sharing this knowledge and love of the Word with other people. The ministry of the Word really occupies a place of priority in Evangelization and greater efforts must be made to provide access to the Holy Bible for fruitful use and effective witness among our people. There is indeed power, liberation and healing in the Word of God.
Have a grace filled Bible Week!
Rev. Fr. Michael Adefemi Adegbola, Director Media Service Centre writes from Kaduna, Nigeria 2011
No comments:
Post a Comment