IN CHRIST: Walking Armed for Battle

Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

BFM on Scripture: (Article I - The Scriptures) The Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired and is God’s revelation of Himself to man. It is a perfect treasure of divine instruction. It has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter. Therefore, all Scripture is totally true and trustworthy. It reveals the principles by which God judges us, and therefore is, and will remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and religious opinions should be tried. All Scripture is a testimony to Christ, who is Himself the focus of divine revelation.

INSPIRED

“GOD-BREATHED/GIVEN”

(BFM) The Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired and is God’s revelation of Himself to man.

2 Timothy 3:14–17 “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed. You know those who taught you, and you know that from infancy you have known the sacred Scriptures, which are able to give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” [U = vv. 16-17]

2 Peter 1:20–21 “Above all, you know this: No prophecy of Scripture comes from the prophet’s own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by the will of man; instead, men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”

INERRANT

“TRUE”

(BFM) It is a perfect treasure of divine instruction. It has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter.

John 17:17 “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.”

Psalm 119:160 “The entirety of your word is truth, each of your righteous judgments endures forever.”

INFALLIBLE

“TRUSTWORTHY”

(BFM) Therefore, all Scripture is totally true and trustworthy.

Romans 15:4 “For whatever was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that we may have hope through endurance and through the encouragement from the Scriptures.”

1 Thessalonians 2:13 “This is why we constantly thank God, because when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you welcomed it not as a human message, but as it truly is, the word of God, which also works effectively in you who believe.”

SUFFICIENT [This aspect is likely the most challenging!]

“FOR FAITH & FAITHFULNESS” (Sufficient & Clear) [Not a full-fledged science text book — 2 Chronicles 4.1-2 (10 c dia = 31.416 c cir//30 c cir = 9.55 c dia; phenomenological v. precise language)]

(BFM) It reveals the principles by which God judges us, and therefore is, and will remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union

Psalm 19:7–10 “The instruction of the Lord is perfect, renewing one’s life; the testimony of the Lord is trustworthy, making the inexperienced wise. The precepts of the Lord are right, making the heart glad; the command of the Lord is radiant, making the eyes light up. The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the Lord are reliable and altogether righteous. They are more desirable than gold— than an abundance of pure gold; and sweeter than honey dripping from a honeycomb.”

2 Peter 1:3 “His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.”

AUTHORITATIVE

“ULTIMATE (SOLE) LENS FOR VIEWING LIFE”

(BFM) and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and religious opinions should be tried.

Matthew 5:18 “For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or one stroke of a letter will pass away from the law until all things are accomplished.”

John 12:48 “The one who rejects me and doesn’t receive my sayings has this as his judge: The word I have spoken will judge him on the last day.”

CONCL—

Sword…Offensive and Defensive among a soldier’s armaments.

A sword fends off an enemy’s attacks…

Matthew 4:4 “He answered, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.””

Matthew 4:7 “Jesus told him, “It is also written: Do not test the Lord your God.””

Matthew 4:10 “Then Jesus told him, “Go away, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.””

Sooo, what is the best version of the sword out there??

Find a Translation that…

Is written in much the way we speak

Is done by a team of well-trained people

Is done with a commitment to the original languages

A few to avoid: Amplified, Message, Living

A few to use: CSB, ESV, NASB, NIV, NKJV/KJV

INVITATION:

John 5:39 “You pore over the Scriptures because you think you have eternal life in them, and yet they testify about me.”

Salvation

Valuing the Sword

Utilizing the Sword

Ephesians 6:17 CSB

Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit—which is the word of God.

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