It Is Written

Jesus never quoted the New Testament.

Jesus Himself is, however, the Word of God. In that capacity, He is FAR more than the poems and letters and histories and prophecies that were written down and canonized (after much argument) into what we call the Holy Book (“bible”).

Paul said that all we need in order to become believers in Jesus is in the Old Testament: “…from childhood you have known the sacred Scriptures, which are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 3:15) He added in the next sentence: “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.” He did not have the New Testament in mind when he wrote that.

I am not suggesting that we do not need what is written in the New Testament, nor that it isn’t a valuable gift from God. I am suggesting that if we had to choose between the Word Himself, revealed by His Spirit, and any book, including the Holy one, we would be wise to choose the Lord of the Book.

Some would argue that we don’t have to choose. On days, when we need answers that are not given in the Book, such as where to minister, with whom, whom to marry, which job to take, when to leave, etc, etc, etc, we will not do well without the Holy Breath of God. Depending on His leadership is dangerous. We could misunderstand, or not hear, or be afraid to stand or to move forward. We could make bad mistakes. That seems to be the design He likes having given us.

The Holy Spirit can lead us into all truth. Many believers (none of whom owned a New Testament and few of whom owned any parts of the Old Testament) turned their worlds upside down or around in the first few hundred years after the Holy Spirit was poured out in His people. I have met many people who have memorized the words of the Book, but do not yet seem to have met the Word of the Lord.

Be filled. Be awesome!