Bible

Man Is Lost
Without God’s Word, Part 1

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psa. 119:105).

Without the Bible, man is without guidance and without authentic information as to his origin. Without the Bible, man does not know where he is going or how to get there. In spite of the value of God’s Word, many people are completely indifferent to its instructions. As a result of this, many people are lost in more ways than one.

First and most important, man is lost spiritually without the Bible. Jesus taught his disciples: “Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). A knowledge of the truth is necessary if man is to be saved from his sins. Peter was to speak to Cornelius “words whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved” (Acts 11:14). The Gospel of Christ is the power of God unto salvation, but only if it is learned, believed and obeyed.

Second, the Bible provides for man a moral standard that is necessary for righteous living here upon the earth. Without the Bible, there is no standard of morality. Hence, without the Bible, man is lost morally and becomes as the animals of the forest and field.

Third, the Bible gives us our origin. It tells us that we are created in the image of God, and that we possess a soul that must spend eternity somewhere (Genesis 1:26-27). Without the Bible, man reaches the conclusion that he originated as a one-celled creature along with all other animals. This debases man and convinces him that he can live just as he chooses.

Fourth, the Bible tells us of eternity that must be spent in one of two places, heaven or hell. Without the Bible, man’s eternal punishment for sins is inevitable. “How shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard?” (Romans 10:14). When Jesus comes again, he will take vengeance “on them that know not God, and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thessalonians 1:8).

You need the Bible because it is the Word of God. You need it just as everyone else needs it to avoid being lost here and for eternity. God’s Word furnishes man completely with all that he needs to know about how to become a Christian, how to remain faithful to God and of the great rewards that will be given to those that are faithful to God (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Revelation 2:10; Matthew 25:46).

The greatest aspect of the Bible is that it tells man what to do in order to be saved from his sins. We hope and pray that you will study (2 Timothy 2:15) to see what God wants you to do to please him, that your destiny will be heaven.

Prayer and Fingers

1. Your thumb is nearest to you. So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you. They are the easiest to remember. To pray for our loved ones is, as Lewis once said, a “sweet duty.”

2. The next finger is the pointing finger. Pray for those who teach, instruct and heal. This includes teachers, doctors and ministers. They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction. Keep them in your prayers.

3. The next finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders. Pray for the president, leaders in business and industry, and administrators. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion. They need God’s guidance.

4. The fourth finger is our ring finger. Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest finger¾as any piano teacher will testify. It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain. They need your prayers day and night. You cannot pray too much for them.

5. And lastly comes our little finger¾the smallest finger of all. Which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. As the Bible says, “the least shall be the greatest among you.” Your pinky should remind you to pray for yourself. By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively.

Author Unknown

submitted by Mark McWhorter