Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. (Romans 10:17)
How to Know the Bible is True
The real issue in determining the validity of the Bible as God’s word is whether or not upon hearing the true gospel in “an honest and good heart” (Luke 8; John 7), that person is then willing to deny their current rebellious, sinful life and start to live for God and His eternal ways of “grace and truth”, based on a life of faith and trust in His Son Jesus Christ. (see Luke 14:25-35; 2 Corinthians 5:14, 15)
For without “Light” from the Word of God, the natural self is motivated by three things: “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the boastful pride of life” (1 John 2:16). It is this defiled nature in man which produces misery and death. “But the one who does the will of God abides forever.” (1 John 2:17)
If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know of the teaching, whether it is of God or I speak from myself. (Jesus Christ in John 7:16, 17)
Life without God’s Will
Have you ever heard the expression “There’s nothing new under the sun”? It comes from the first chapter of Ecclesiastes, verse 9. Solomon, the king of Israel in the tenth century before Christ, wrote Ecclesiastes towards the end of his life. He is known as Israel’s wisest and richest king. Yet he used his God-given wisdom and wealth to seek personal satisfaction away from God. Ecclesiastes, found in the Bible just after Psalms and Proverbs, gives some of his reflections on the alternatives he tried.
Although its message is over 3000 years old, this fascinating book is very up-to-date. Read through the first two chapters and you’ll see that this current century, with its advanced technology and high standard of living, presents the same basic choices Solomon faced. Like this ancient king, you can devote yourself to learning, wealth, pleasure or fame. You can base your life on self-fulfillment, a political cause or the word of God. But how do you KNOW you are making the right choice?
Solomon became disillusioned and frustrated that he had wasted so much of his life on dead-end alternatives. He came to realize that, in the final analysis, all human pursuits are in vain: “Vanity of vanities…vanity of vanities, all is vanity” (Ecclesiastes 1:2). The king speaks of the despair caused by the futility of his pursuits in Ecclesiastes 2:20. He states that the end of human pursuits is death and extinction. He has no illusions of an immortal soul that somehow, somewhere lives on forever; human beings die just like animals and return to nothingness: “All go to one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.” (Ecclesiastes 3:20)
So teach us to number our days, that we may present to you a heart of wisdom. (Psalm 90:12)
We live in an age of distractions. Technology, entertainment and leisure consume us. Very few people make the time for routine reflection and contemplation – occasion to consider one’s walk in life. However, when a person understands that their life is “just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away” (James 4:14), they can begin to have the proper perspective for what is the only worthy pursuit.
He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it. (Jesus Christ, Matthew 10:39)
Where to Look for Truth…and Life
Ecclesiastes presents a world view similar to those modern thinkers honest enough to accept the implications of their atheism: without God, life is absurd; there is no ultimate meaning for the world. What you see is what you get. Nevertheless, Solomon knew the only alternative. There is a God and to those willing to give their lives to Him, He offers a part in His wonderful plan. Solomon’s conclusion – a respect (or reverent “fear”) of God and commitment to His way offer the solution to this vanity, this haunting realization that life without God has no purpose:
Fear God and keep His commandments because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil. (Ecclesiastes 12:13)
As from the beginning, God asks us to choose the blessing of life over the curse of death. “Righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come” are all important elements of the true Gospel (Acts 24:25).
The Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with the angels of his power in flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the good news of our Lord Jesus. These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power, when he comes to be glorified in his holy ones on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed – for our testimony to you was believed. (2 Thessalonians 1:7-10)
The Bible challenges you to change your perspective, to focus your mind in a new way and view the world through the word of the living Creator. When you seek God His way, He will respond to you:
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you; cleanse your hands you sinners and purify your hearts you double-minded. (James 4:8)