Avizandam. In Scots law, this term describes the careful consideration given by the judge before an important decision. Join me each week as we explore various topics from a spiritual perspective and take matters. Avisandum. The reliability of the Holy Scriptures is vital.
I believe the Bible can be trusted. as it is the very word of God. This is why I've given my life to the exposition of the Word of God. Studying the Word of God is a great joy and delight for me. I can say with King David that God's Word is more precious than gold, yes, fine gold, sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
So from the pulpit of Calvary Church I don't preach my opinions or ideas, nor do I give political or social commentary. Rather I read and proclaim the Holy Scriptures. The Christian faith is a revealed faith that is, our great Creator God, who is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, has revealed His truth to us in the Holy Scriptures, which is the literal Word of God. It is the only inspired, eternal source of truth. From the Garden of Eden the devil's strategy has always been to attack the reliability, the trustworthiness, the goodness, and the accuracy of the Word of God.
Relativism and subjectivism are the forces of to day. Personal experience and feelings become the source of truth rather than the Scriptures. Even some professing Christians have made their experience of God rather than the truth of God foundational.
So we're not surprised that the Word of God continues to be attacked, as it has been throughout human history. The Bible claims to be the Word of God. It is inspired, breathed out by God.
So its origin is not in man, but in God. God is truth, and cannot lie. God who is truth breathes out the Scriptures. Therefore the Scriptures are absolute truth and totally reliable. In the Bible there are certainly differences in perspective, style, and content but as we read and study the Bible we realize it is a powerful witness to its own unity.
Despite all of the differences, it has internal consistency. The sixty six books of the Bible speak with a unified voice. If the Bible is the Word of God, it follows that it is without error in the original autographs. This is another reason why it can be trusted. We must, however, differentiate between what the text of Scripture actually says and our own interpretation of the text.
While the Bible is without error, Our interpretation of the Bible may be wrong or misleading. Jesus quoted the Old Testament scriptures and referred to it as the Word of God.
So, when I read the Holy Scriptures and preach the word of God, I do so with complete confidence, believing that when the Bible speaks, God is speaking. I encourage my hearers to test what I am saying against the actual Scriptures. As you read and as you open the sacred pages of Scripture, do so with the full confidence that you're reading the Word of God. Pray that God the Holy Spirit will give you understanding, that your heart will be honest and good to receive the Word, to understand it, and to obey it. It's very easy to make ourselves the authority in our lives.
But truth is not found in your feelings or in your own ideas. Rather, the Holy Scriptures are able to make us wise unto salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. We do not live. by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. Augustine said, If you believe what you like in the Gospels and reject what you don't like, it's not the gospel you believe.
But yourself. Avazander. You're listening to the weekly Avizandam podcast from The Verdict, featuring Pastor John Monroe. John is senior pastor at Calvary Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. Listen to John's daily program, The Verdict, on broadcast radio or major podcast platforms.
For more information about the Verdict Ministry, visit us online at calvarychurch.com/slash the verdict.
