You worship the Bible! You only talk about the Bible! You’re obsessed with the Bible!
Christians have heard these accusations time and again. In a way, they are right. We are people of the Bible. Because it’s the only way to respect Christ as Lord.
Only the Bible is the word of God. The Bible claims to be his word and proves it. Some affirm the Bible is proof for the existence of God. We can always start with the Bible, with any person, anywhere, to help a soul come to God.
Do we worship the Bible? We do not worship any single copy of the Scriptures, nor any translation. (KJV-only people come close.) If the Bible is the word of God, it deserves our highest respect and allegiance. So the Psalmist thinks:
In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me? Psalm 56.4, 10 ESV.
We praise God’s word, because it is part and parcel of the God we worship. How can we not hold it in high esteem?
Obviously, we don’t talk only about the Bible. We talk about things of this life, such as pastimes, eating, health, and work. But when it comes to matters of the spirit, the Bible is the only book in town. We start every evangelistic study with the subject of the Bible, because in it we have God’s revelation, God’s authorization, and God’s power. Man’s thoughts, permissions, and efforts in the spiritual realm just don’t mean much.
Does that mean we’re obsessed with the Bible? The word “obsessed” carries a negative connotation, denotes an unhealthy domination of thoughts by an idea. To those who live by their own wills and wits, it probably looks like we are obsessed with the Bible. Because they are obsessed with fulfilling their own desires and serving their own gods. But if the Bible is light and life, ought we not give it our full attention and complete devotion?
The second verse of the book of Psalms sees it as the key to success: “Instead he finds pleasure in obeying the Lord’s commands; he meditates on his commands day and night” Psalm 1.2 NET. The alternative to this is to “follow the advice of the wicked, or stand in the pathway with sinners, or sit in the assembly of scoffers” v. 1.
So we must agree with Psalm 119.97 and follow the example of the inspired writer: “O how I love your law! All day long I meditate on it.” If that’s an obsession, so be it. It will do us much more good — eternal good — than any physical or emotional addiction, fleshly pursuit, or worldly interest.
The apostle Paul refocused Timothy’s attention to the “holy writings” — another fine phrase to describe the Bible — because they “are able to give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” 2 Timothy 3.15. No other book, no other author, no other speaker can do that.
Time is short. Life is brief. Earth is doomed. Nothing here really satisfies. As good as life might get, it will be over all too soon. We were created for more than 70 short years.
The Bible reminds us of that truth and shows us how to make the jump into the blessed side of eternity.
Isn’t that worth obsessing over?