by R. L. Morrison

Many religious people today agree that the Bible is to be our only guide in religion. Some believe that it is a guide, but not the only one. These folks believe that books written by men or women much later than the revelation of the New Testament are also safe guides to follow. Since many believe the Bible is to be our only guide, let us turn to it for some information on the subject.

Long ago, a Psalmist said, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path" (Psalm 119:105). The wise man added, "A man's heart deviseth his way; but the Lord directeth his steps." In the New Testament, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works" (2 Tim. 3:16-17). To this Peter added, "according as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue" (2 Pet. 1:3).

We have learned that God's word is the light to guide us as we walk along the pathway of life; that the scriptures given by inspiration of God can make a man perfect, or mature, and finally, that every thing that pertains to life and godliness is available to us through the knowledge of Jesus Christ. The Bible then, claims to be our only guide, and claims to reveal all we need to know and do to please God and be saved eternally. It is obvious that those who believe books written by people after the New Testament was completed really do not believe the Bible. They reject it for the doctrines of men.

Consider now some things that will be the result of letting your Bible be your guide in life. Surely nothing but good can result from such a study!

If you let your Bible be your guide, you will study the Bible diligently! The Bible says: "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of Truth" (2 Tim. 2:15). This tells us that we are to plan, to purpose, to so conduct our lives that we need not be ashamed of the way we live. But the only way we can do so is to know the word of God, which alone guides us safely through life. Since this knowledge cannot be implanted in us by someone else, we must study to learn it. Jesus said, "Search the scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which testify of me" (John 5:39). Since only the scriptures reveal Christ to us, we must study them to learn of Him, what He did for us and how to gain eternal life. Jesus also said, "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed, and ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:31-32). Discipleship depends on continuing in the words of the Lord. One cannot continue in that which he has not learned or does not know. To be a disciple, to be made free, one must first know, and then continue in the word of the Lord. All of these passages teach us that we must study. If we believe the Bible, we will do so!

If you let your Bible be your guide, you will believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. When Jesus was baptized by John, a voice from heaven was heard to say, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased" (Matt. 3:17). Again that voice from heaven spoke when Jesus, with three disciples, was on a mountain, and Jesus was transfigured before them. "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, hear ye him" (Matt. 17:5). God not only acknowledged Jesus as His Son, but commanded men to hear Him. And if you hear him, that faith in him will lead you to repent of your sins (Luke 13:3); to confess your faith in him (Matt. 10:32-33); and then to be baptized (Mark 16:15-16). Your Bible teaches that when you do these things sincerely (from the heart), you are saved from your past sins, and the Lord adds you to the church (Acts 2:47; Rom. 6:17-18). If you let your Bible be your guide, you will do these things, for the Bible teaches and requires obedience to be saved.

If you continue to let your Bible be your religious guide, as a member of the Lord's church, you will wear the name Christian, to show that relationship to Christ. The word Christian is found only three times in the New Testament, and every use of it describes a disciple or follower of Christ. "The disciples were called Christians first in Antioch" (Acts 11:26). "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian" (Acts 16:28). "Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed but let him glorify God on this behalf" (1 Pet. 4:16). The name Christian is sufficient to describe a disciple of Christ. Nothing more is needed, and certainly it is not used in the Bible to describe anything else.

Again, if you let your Bible be your guide, you will assemble on the first day of the week with other Christians to worship God. This means every Sunday, for every week has a first day. "And upon the first day of the week when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them" (Acts 20:7). In the assembly of saints, not only is God worshipped by remembering the sacrifice of Christ in eating the Lord's Supper, but Christians sing (Eph. 5:19), pray, study the scriptures, and give of one's means as he has been prospered (1 Cor. 16:12). This simple form of worship, conducted without "pomp and ceremony" is what God has ordained. Men, not content with these things, have added many things to their worship; but one who lets the Bible be their guide will not go beyond that which is written!

Also, if you let your Bible by your guide, you will have the desire to teach the truths you have learned to others. In the beginning of the church in Jerusalem, the apostles taught and preached daily. Many heard, believed, and obeyed. But after a time, persecution arose, and the disciples were driven from Jerusalem. The record says "they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word" (Acts 8:4).

Jesus had commanded that the gospel be preached in all the world (Mark 16:15-16). When Paul wrote to Timothy he said, "And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also" (2 Tim. 2:2). Those who are faithful to Christ teach as opportunity affords itself. Beyond this, there is the responsibility of supporting faithful men to preach and teach the word. This not only involves financial support, but moral and spiritual support also. Paul sought the prayers of Christians in his behalf, and the knowledge that brethren were concerned about him was no small source of comfort to him. So it is with those who publicly preach and teach the word today. If you let your Bible be your guide, you will not only support others in proclaiming the faith, but prepare yourself to serve the church. It requires study and dedication to be able to do so. One should not fail to serve to the full extent of one's ability.

Finally, IF you will let your Bible be your guide, you will say NO to Satan when he tempts you to sin. This is an absolute necessity, for Satan will tempt you, but your Bible teaches you to abstain from even the appearance of evil. Paul told Timothy to "keep thyself pure" (1 Tim. 5:22). But when we sin we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ (1 John 2:1). Through our Advocate, we pray to the Father for forgiveness. The Bible teaches that if we confess our faults and pray one for another, we will be healed or forgiven (James 5:16).

If our Bible is our guide and we continue to worship and serve God as long as we live, we shall receive the crown of life (Rev. 2:10). Peter encouraged Christians to faithfulness with these words: "Whom (Christ) having not seen, ye love, in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls" (1 Pet. 1:8-9).

Letting your Bible be your guide, and following it carefully, will do all of these things for you! What more then do you need than the Bible? Does not wisdom require one to discard all the doctrine and traditions of men? Is it not wise to be able to give a "thus saith the Lord" (scripture) for the things one believes and practices in religion? If not, why not?

Do you accept the Bible as your only guide?