Views of the Bible are as varied as there are people. And, how you view the Bible determines how you will relate to the Bible. And how you relate and respond to what God says determines everything about your life.
DESPISE THE BIBLE
Some people think of it as that which is legalistic and binding and contrary to the way they want to live. The Devil, for instance, hates God's Word so much that he has feverishly worked since its inception to destroy it. But he cannot harm the Word because it is GOD'S Word, imperishable and unchanging.
What they do not know is that God is so adamant about giving to us a completely accurate Word that He literally spoke His Word to the individual authors, using their personalities and uniqueness, but maintaining exactly what He wanted to say. (2 Timothy 3:16-17) And, I believe, has protected it through the years so that we can absolutely trust its accuracy today. If He really is God, He is capable of accomplishing this.
DISREGARD THE BIBLE
Others, regardless of their opinion of its contents, pay it no mind and it has no place in their life. God says of them that they become “futile in their speculations and their foolish heart is darkened, professing to be wise, they become fools.” (Romans 1:21-22)
If you want to become foolish, just ignore the foundational document that is right and designed to bring you understanding. Your pride will abort the possibility of understanding and wisdom. You may look like a wise man before others in this world, but, in reality, if you have ignored the Sourcebook, you have no way of rightness in your thinking and living.
DELIGHT IN THE BIBLE
This was the Psalmist's passion.
""Therefore I love Your commandments above gold, yes, above fine gold."" (Psalm 119:127)
He had found the Word to be the path to life and salvation as it took him to God. The Word had become his joy.
For those who really know Christ and have spent time in the Word, this is their feeling. The more you study it, the more gold is uncovered. In fact, you realize it is more valuable than any other earthly possession. And you long to study and learn more and more of its truth.
DEPEND ON THE BIBLE
""Therefore I esteem right all Your precepts concerning everything, I hate every false way."" (Psalm 119:128)
It is one thing to love the Word; it is another thing to come to the point where you believe in its accuracy and trust it explicitly. The Psalmist believed it was right ""concerning everything."" He had come to the conclusion that the Word of God was literally God's Word and had been given to us in an accurate way and preserved with Divine protection. Therefore, it is completely reliable for us today.
People with this understanding have the happy privilege of settled convictions. They are not tossed to and fro by ""every wind of doctrine."" They are not swayed by the devil's lies. They believe God's Word. They go to it with utter confidence. And—even more—they ""esteem"" it. They honor it by giving it the place of supreme authority in their lives. What it says, goes for them. It is the source of understanding and direction.
And the more they follow God through what He says, the greater the true success of their life. Psalm 1 reminds us that those who delight in God’s Word, meditating on it day and night will be like a tree planted by living water that brings forth fruit at just the right time and “in whatever he does he prospers.”
So, what's your opinion of the Word of the living God? This is a more important discussion that you can possibly imagine. Because what you believe about the Bible determines everything.
As a pastor for the last 55 years, I have had the joy of being encouraged and blessed and prayed for by so many people. It is what carries you in your task of shepherding people. As I look back over five decades of ministry, their love has dramatically enriched my life.
But also, a pastor leads. And when anyone leads, there are almost always some who disagree.
