I am thinking of word that needs to take priority in our lives, yet nowhere in the English Scriptures will you find it. It is the word "Bible." That's right. Nowhere in the English Scriptures of the Bible will you find the word "Bible." However, you CAN find the Greek words biblos or biblion in the original language of the New Testament and in the Greek translation of the Old Testament. These words are the origin for our English word "Bible." Interestingly, these Greek words are not typically used to refer to the Scriptures as a whole, as we do with the word "Bible" today (and have been for a few centuries now). The simple definition of its word of origin is book, or books.
Even if you cannot find the word "Bible" in the English Scriptures of your Bible, it is a word that still needs priority in our lives. Why? First, it needs priority in our lives be-cause it is one of the most common words we have to refer to our copy of God's Word. Second, the word "Bible" needs priority in our lives because its contents are what teach us so many vital answers to life's questions. Where do we come from? Who are we? Who is God? What is right? What is wrong? What is sin? Why do people die? How can we be saved from our sins? Where do we go when we die? Will I be judged by God? These are only a few of the vital questions that are answered in the Bible.
According to the Bible: Our desire for salvation begins with faith that is produced from hearing the Bible (Romans 10:17; Hebrews 11:6); Our desire for salvation begets re-pentance—change which begins in the mind, but is manifested in our lives (2 Corinthi-ans 7:10; Acts 2:38); Our desire for salvation brings about a public confession of Jesus as Savior (Romans 10:10; Acts 8:37); Our desire for salvation becomes reality in the waters of baptism (Mark 16:16). Our indebtedness for salvation bolsters our faith unto death (1 Corinthians 15:57). May we all look to the Bible, obey its teachings, and sing the words written by Priscilla J. Owens: "Give me the Bible, star of gladness gleaming, To cheer the wand’rer lone and tempest tossed; No storm can hide that radiance peaceful beaming, Since Jesus came to seek and save the lost. Give me the Bible, when my heart is broken, When sin and grief have filled my soul with fear; Give me the pre-cious words by Jesus spoken, Hold up faith’s lamp to show my Savior near. Give me the Bible, holy message shining; Thy light shall guide me in the narrow way; Precept and promise, law and love combining, Till night shall vanish in eternal day.”
Clifton Angel preaches for the Coldwater Church of Christ in Coldwater, MS
