The Scriptures are Most Reliable

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Scripture: 2 Peter 1:19a

So we have the prophetic word made more sure

Insights: To understand this first portion of verse nineteen we need to back up to the few verses before this one.  Peter has just told them he was a reliable witness to the person of Jesus Christ.  His testimony dealt with the transfiguration he saw of Jesus on the mountain years earlier.  When we get to verse nineteen Peter is telling his reading audience that if his testimony is not good enough, then this reading audience ought to at least trust the words of the prophets.  The greek phrase translated in the New American Standard Bible as “made more sure” would be better translated as “most reliable.”  Part of the reason “most reliable” is a better descriptor of the verse is because Peter is not saying the prophetic word is more important or carries a heavier weight of testimony than his very own eye witness account.  In stead, what Peter is saying is his testimony, which later became part of the Bible, is of the same weight as the Old Testament Scriptures.  Both of these witnesses point to the truthfulness of Jesus and His claim to be the Savior of the world.  There is another aspect of the Bible being made most reliable and that is the usefulness of it.  In 2 Timothy 3:16-17 we are told, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”  Notice the Bible is profitable.  It teaches us the way to live.  You have a question about being a good employee, go to the Word and let It speak truth into your life.  You have a question about being a good parent, go to the Word and let It speak truth into your life.  The Scriptures also rebuke us of our sin and tell us the correct way to rectify this sinful behavior.  After we have repented and corrected the situation, we are then instructed in the way to pursue righteousness.  Once we are living life this way, we are complete and equipped for every good work God has for us.  God’s Word is most reliable to do all of these things and to point us into a proper relationship with Jesus.

Questions:

 1. With what kind of confidence do you place your faith in the Bible?

 2. Have you worked out by faith the reliability and trustworthiness of the Scriptures?

Prayer: Father, thank You for giving me Your Word.  Your Word gives me the words of life and point me to Your Son, Jesus.  I am able to have a life of meaning and significance because of Your Word.  Amen.

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