Read: 1 Peter 1:16, 20-21

“For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty… knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”

Reflect:

How many text messages have you received today?

Whether it is a direct text or part of a group message, the text messages we receive are attempts to communicate with each one of us directly. Even if we choose to ignore a message, it is still there waiting to be read.

The Bible is the original text message to each of us, waiting to be read and applied in our lives, yet there are skeptics to be found everywhere. From the early days of the church, some have questioned the authority of God’s Word. Not much is different today. In fact, nothing is different. Over the last few days, I’ve taken a look at some of the posts from an acquaintance of mine questioning literally everything.

But in the verses above, Peter underscores the fact that the Gospel is not a “cleverly designed myth,” Without a doubt, Peter would have edited out some of the more embarrassing moments in his life had the New Testament been a cleverly devised myth. He would have erased any of his recorded doubts and embarrassing moments. Certainly, he would have omitted his own denial of Christ on the night of His arrest, right? On the contrary, Peter writes that man’s contribution to Scripture was one of obedience as “men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”

Respond:

We should obey the biblical texts, not merely read or study them” Gordon Fee, How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth, Zondervan Academic).

If you believe that the Bible contains the very words of God to mankind how should you respond? Will it change the direction of my heart? How will it affect the way I think about the world I live in? Will it change the direction of my feet as I make choices in my life?