The Good Book

Gary Henry

Down through the years the Bible has had both its enemies and friends. Some individuals have dedicated themselves to eradicating it from the face of the earth, while many others have dedicated themselves to living strictly by its precepts. Its foes have maintained that it has blighted mankind. But those who have made it the basis of their lives have pronounced it a great blessing. Those who have given it a fair trial have called it not just a good book, but the Good Book!

Consider why the Bible is "good". Its central character, Jesus Christ the Son of God, is by far the best and most righteous person to have lived upon the face of this earth. The Bible essentially is the story of this man. It tells how He came into this world and so perfectly exemplified what all men ought to be that He rightfully could take upon Himself the title -- "Son of Man." In Him the ideal of "man" reaches its perfect goal. His benignant way, His magnificent teaching, His flawless character -- all these mark Him as the best of men. Far beyond all of that, His vicarious death and triumphant resurrection proclaim Him to be none less than God among men, the Savior of the world. The Bible is the Good Book because it is His story.

The Bible is the Good Book because it teaches a way of life, and its instructions point us to the high road of living. Yet it is much more than a book of elevated moral precepts. It contains the way of eternal salvation. Of the divinely inspired writings, Paul wrote to a friend, "From a child you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus" (2 Tim 3:15).

If we, because of our own stubbornness or other weaknesses, are unable to be reconciled to our Creator, the best life we may attain is futile. But the Bible holds the "promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come" (1 Tim 4:8). It is surely the Good Book!