Scripture is sufficient for any and everything we will face in life. We can find every answer we need to live a life pleasing to God within its beautiful pages. Despite being over 2,000 years old—even older for the Old Testament books—it is as relevant today as when it was first written. What other book can make that claim?
As the inspired Word of God, we can trust everything written on its pages. The wisdom contained in the Bible is God’s wisdom. (Romans 11:33-34; Proverbs 2:6) The truth is God’s truth. (John 17:17; Numbers 23:19) There is no additional source needed to understand the character of God, the problem of sin, and what we must do to accept and live for Jesus Christ.
Scripture is sufficient to guide us in every decision. (Psalm 119:105; Psalm 119:24; Proverbs 3:5-6) Once you understand this, everything else becomes easier. My wife came home the other day a bit troubled. She said, “I need your help because I have a moral dilemma.” Because our foundation for everything is God’s Word, I replied, “No, you don’t.” She thought for half a second and then said, “You’re right, I don’t.” She knew what to do because she knew the biblical principle at play in the situation. No dilemma, no decision, just clarity. That’s the power of God’s Word.
When we say scripture is sufficient, we mean that in terms of spiritual life. You won’t find instructions on how to repair your car or microwave in the Bible. Both of those are modern conveniences, and neither affects the eternal destiny of your soul. Still, it’s an argument many like to throw up to disprove that the Bible is all we need for life. It’s a feeble attempt to avoid having to submit to the authority of the Word. Once we read and understand the Bible, we have no excuse but to live according to it. (James 1:22; Luke 11:28) That’s something a lost and sinful world cannot accept. (1 Corinthians 2:14; John 3:19-20)
Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, wrote, “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.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17) God saves us by His grace to do the work He gives us to do (Ephesians 2:8-10), and the Bible provides all the instruction we need to do that work. We are alive for one purpose, and that is to glorify God and to obey all His commands. (1 Corinthians 10:31; Ecclesiastes 12:13; John 14:15) We can’t know what He wants us to do unless we read His Word, and we won’t have the ability to do those things without the wisdom and knowledge contained in His Word. (Joshua 1:8; Psalm 119:9-11; Colossians 3:16)
God’s Word is an enormous blessing and our greatest resource. To leave it unopened on the shelf is akin to having a trillion dollars in a briefcase and never opening it. Except God’s worth is priceless, able to convict us of our sin and save our souls. What are you doing with this most valuable treasure? Are you using it to guide you in every aspect of your life or only consulting it on occasion? If you aren’t obsessed with God’s Word, how can you love His Son? (John 14:23; John 8:31; Psalm 119:97) Jesus is the very Word of God. (John 1:1-2; John 1:14) Love Him and love His words. Scripture is sufficient. It is all you need to navigate this life and to understand how to spend eternity with Him.