I had the privilege of visiting the British Library in London a few months ago—the national library of the U.K., boasting over 150 million items in innumerable formats, print and otherwise. One of the largest of its kind in the world, akin to the Library of Congress in the U.S.
In the foyer of the Library, was this fascinating bronze bench in the shape of an open book with a ball and chain. I had to have a picture with me sitting on it. This sculpture by Bill Woodrow (Sitting on History, 1995) ostensibly refers to “the book as a captor of information from which we cannot escape” (so says the website of the British Library).
I know of only one Book that fits that description. A Book with information from which we cannot—nay, must not—escape. A Book which has the words of eternal life—the Bible—bearing Good News of critical importance. A Book to which we must be bound. For it is through this Book that we learn of God, His holiness, and our sinful state. In this Book we find how we can appropriate, by faith, salvation from sin.
This Book—inspired, inerrant, and infallible—is sufficient to render one, in God’s eyes, capable, complete, and competent. We must be bound to this Book.
It is because this Book is the Word of God, that it has prescriptivity—it is binding upon the faith and practice of all believers, it is protable for application in the life of all its readers. Bound to the Book!
It is because it is the Word of God that it deals authoritatively with matters of critical importance to mankind. Because it is the Word of God, it is perennial—remaining vital and potent across the span of time, projecting its validity for all time. If perennial, then binding forever. Bound to the Book.
Believers’ response to this Book, then, is to be bound to it—to live by it—so that their lives may be pleasing to God, as they grow in Christlikeness.
And in so growing, the sweetness of the Word becomes more real daily. Of the contents of this Book, the Psalmist wrote:
Sing them over again to me, wonderful words of life,
In the foyer of the Library, was this fascinating bronze bench in the shape of an open book with a ball and chain. I had to have a picture with me sitting on it. This sculpture by Bill Woodrow (Sitting on History, 1995) ostensibly refers to “the book as a captor of information from which we cannot escape” (so says the website of the British Library).
I know of only one Book that fits that description. A Book with information from which we cannot—nay, must not—escape. A Book which has the words of eternal life—the Bible—bearing Good News of critical importance. A Book to which we must be bound. For it is through this Book that we learn of God, His holiness, and our sinful state. In this Book we find how we can appropriate, by faith, salvation from sin.
… the sacred writings …
are able to give you
the wisdom that leads
to salvation through faith
which is in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 3:15
are able to give you
the wisdom that leads
to salvation through faith
which is in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 3:15
This Book—inspired, inerrant, and infallible—is sufficient to render one, in God’s eyes, capable, complete, and competent. We must be bound to this Book.
All Scripture
is inspired by God
and profitable for teaching,
for reproof, for correction,
for training in righteousness;
that the person of God
may be adequate, equipped
for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16–17
is inspired by God
and profitable for teaching,
for reproof, for correction,
for training in righteousness;
that the person of God
may be adequate, equipped
for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16–17
It is because this Book is the Word of God, that it has prescriptivity—it is binding upon the faith and practice of all believers, it is protable for application in the life of all its readers. Bound to the Book!
I trust in Thy word.
I wait for Thine ordinances.
I will keep Thy law continually.
I seek Thy precepts.
I will also speak of Thy testimonies ….
I shall delight in Thy commandments ….
I shall lift up my hands
to Thy commandments, which I love.
I will meditate on Thy statutes.
Psalm 119:42–48
I wait for Thine ordinances.
I will keep Thy law continually.
I seek Thy precepts.
I will also speak of Thy testimonies ….
I shall delight in Thy commandments ….
I shall lift up my hands
to Thy commandments, which I love.
I will meditate on Thy statutes.
Psalm 119:42–48
It is because it is the Word of God that it deals authoritatively with matters of critical importance to mankind. Because it is the Word of God, it is perennial—remaining vital and potent across the span of time, projecting its validity for all time. If perennial, then binding forever. Bound to the Book.
“The grass withers,
the flower falls off,
but the word of the Lord
abides forever.”
And this is the word
which was preached to you.
1 Peter 1:24–25
the flower falls off,
but the word of the Lord
abides forever.”
And this is the word
which was preached to you.
1 Peter 1:24–25
Believers’ response to this Book, then, is to be bound to it—to live by it—so that their lives may be pleasing to God, as they grow in Christlikeness.
… like newborn babes,
long for the pure milk
of the word, that by it
you may grow
in respect to salvation.
1 Peter 2:1
long for the pure milk
of the word, that by it
you may grow
in respect to salvation.
1 Peter 2:1
And in so growing, the sweetness of the Word becomes more real daily. Of the contents of this Book, the Psalmist wrote:
They are more desirable
than gold, yes,
than much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey
and the drippings
of the honeycomb.
Psalm 19:10
than gold, yes,
than much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey
and the drippings
of the honeycomb.
Psalm 19:10
Sing them over again to me, wonderful words of life,
Let me more of their beauty see, wonderful words of life;
Words of life and beauty teach me faith and duty.
Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life.
Philip P. Bliss, 1874
Philip P. Bliss, 1874
Indeed!
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