Parts of

the Bible are pure myth. That's what some people believe

and say. Others just believe it without saying it. Many,

however, believe the Bible is God's eternal Truth with no

mixture of error. That's what they believe and say.

They

believe the Old Testament is just as inspired by God as

the New Testament. They believe the writings of the

Apostle Paul are just as true as the sayings of Jesus. I

believe with the Apostle Paul that, "All Scripture

is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for

reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;

so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for

every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16).

Therefore,

let me open up something for you. The Apostle Paul,

writing as if he were the very finger of God, declared

that all Scripture was profitable. Profitable for whom?

Just first century Christians? No! All Christians for all

time. That means you and me! In fact, many Christians who

believe the Bible is profitable realize we have not

cashed in on all the profit of the Bible.

Question:

have you and I discovered all the profit from all the

Bible. Are we in fact walking and living Bibles? No.

We're Scriptural and Spiritual pilgrims. We have not

arrived yet. So, I have a question for many church folks:

why act now like you have arrived? That you know it all?

When the

disciples John and Peter saw Jesus, Moses and Elijah on

the Mount of Transfiguration, they wanted to build boxes

for them. Then, Moses and Elijah left the scene and had

no need of boxes. And the Bible never tells us that they

built Jesus a box.

Why, then,

do believers want to build boxes for God as He is

expressed in and through the Father, Son, and Holy

Spirit. If Jesus refused a box, what makes us think the

Holy Spirit desires a box? He doesn't. Just think of the

implications for the church.

In fact,

the Bible says that where the Holy Spirit resides, there

is freedom and liberty. Doesn't that sound like what

pilgrims really want: freedom and liberty? The only box I

am willing to accept as in any way compatible with the

God Head is the Bible box. And it's not a box but a book

that is a whole lot more effective when open!

Are you

with me? That we believe the Bible. We say we believe the

Bible unashamedly. And, we seek to practice the Bible

more and more as the Great Illuminator, the Holy Spirit,

gives us understanding. Amen!

The Rev. Dr. John

Hatcher is pastor of River's Edge Community Church in

Fayetteville.

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