" Most Surely Believed "

 

Luke 1:1-4 "Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believe among us, even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the WORD; it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, that thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed."

     I love the opening words of Luke's Gospel in which Dr. Luke declares "those things which are most surely believed among us" (v.1 pictured at top of post). Whenever we approach GOD's WORD, we must keep in mind that it is exactly that -- the WORD of GOD. Paul's epistle to the Thessalonians comes to mind: "For this cause also thank we without ceasing, because, when ye received the WORD of GOD which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as IT is in truth, the WORD of GOD, which effectually worketh also in you that believe" (1st.Thessalonians 2:13 pictured above). Paul thanked the LORD for how these believers had initially received the message of truth -- as the very WORD of GOD.

     When Paul and Silas preached, the people recognized their words as having originated not in men's ideas but from the heart of GOD; they accepted the Gospel as GOD's WORD, not men's. The message itself reveals its divine origin, for it has the power to change lives, Paul told Timothy, "ALL Scripture is given by inspiration of GOD" (2nd.Timothy 3:16 pictured above) -- all of those sacred writings are GOD-breathed and divinely empowered. Neither the Old nor New Testament writings were penned simply because men decided they had a message from GOD; rather, they were borne along by the SPIRIT of GOD as they wrote what was of divine origin. The Scriptures did not derive from man but came from GOD through the HOLY SPIRIT. HIS prophets simply spoke what was spoken to them and recorded the GOD-originated, SPIRIT-motivated words. Peter noted that "holy men of GOD spake as they were moved by the HOLY GHOST" (2nd.Peter 1:21). The Bible is not a human book; IT is GOD's WORD and is" most surely believed among us." JED

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

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