One of the glaring differences in the Protestant and Roman Catholic faiths, is our view of Scripture. Roman Catholicism, holds that Church tradition is held on par with Holy Scripture. Of the five core values stated by the reformers, Sola Scriptura or(“by scripture alone”) is central, for the word of God is our only rule of faith and practice. Sadly many believers, are scripturally illiterate. That is to say they do not know what they believe, nor why they believe it. The word of God tells us:1 Peter 3:15 (English Standard Version)
15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.
We need to know the word of God, and we need to know it by heart…Jesus would often take special pains to impress on his disciples and followers, the meaning of some passage in the Bible, and He never ceased to quote O.T. passages. In fact Robert Coleman points out that Jesus no less than sixty-six times refers to scripture whenever he is making a point, why? here’s why…. “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.-Mark 13:31
The psalmist reminds us of the importance of bible memorization, which is not just for the young people on the bible quiz team, but for all of us irrespective of age or difficulty.”9How can a young man keep his way pure?
By guarding it according to your word.
10 With my whole heart I seek you;
let me not wander from your commandments!
11I have stored up your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.
Our generation needs to take to heart Paul’s admonition to Timothy:” 2 Timothy 3:14-17…..14But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.
Sir Walter scott has said it well:”"Within this wondrous volume lies
The mystery of mysteries;
Happiest they of human race
To whom their God has given grace
To read, to fear, to hope, to pray,
To lift the latch, to find the way;
And better had they ne’er been born
Who read to doubt, or read to scorn.”
Sir Walter Scott
And with the following thought and scripture I conclude this article/blog:’This is the greatest
Book on earth
Unparalleled it stands;
Its author God, its truth Divine,
Inspired in every word and line
Tho’ writ by human hands.
This is the Living
Rock of Truth
Which all assaults defies,
O’er every stormy blast of time
It towers with majesty sublime
It lives and never dies.
This is the volume of the Cross
Its saving truth is sure;
Its doctrines pure,
its histories true,
Its Gospel old, yet ever new
Shall evermore endure.
-The Reformer
Colossians 1:10:”…so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.
To do so we must know, believe and share God’s word.—-Mark Gorgans
