Thoughts on Discipleship by Dr. W. A. Dillard - HTML preview

DUST ON THE BIBLE

“And Hilkiah the high priest said unto Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in

the house of the Lord. And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it.” 2 Kings 22:8.

Many years ago, a country singer recorded a song that was often used on radio programs such as the Grand Ole Opry and others. The lyrics went something like this: “Dust on the Bible, dust on God’s Holy Word; words of all the prophets and the sayings of our Lord. Of all the other books you’ll find, there is none salvation whole; get the dust off the Bible and redeem your poor soul.”

Nothing has changed. Herein is the condemnation, Jesus taught us, that light has come into the world, but men loved darkness rather than light. Many families have a private library of books of fiction and nonfiction writers on topics of interest to them, yet they remain ignorant of the words of light and of life. There is no logic to this. It is just the reality of sin dominating the lives of both saved and lost sinners.

Some time ago, this writer was preaching on this topic. The statement was made that some people might be surprised if they open their Bible: a WWII Savings Bond might fall out. A dear lady in our church got to thinking about several Bibles she possessed that once belonged to departed relatives. She went home and began thumbing through them. In one of them a WWII Savings Bond fell out. She brought it to church to show to me. We had a good laugh. It was the first time I had seen one of those in over 60 years.

Everyone should understand that God did not give him the Bible as a repository of valuable papers or of vital statistics of family members. It was given for the vital well-being of all who possess it, and possessing a copy carries with it an awesome responsibility for which account will definitely be given when each one stands before Jesus.

I picked up a book to read a few months ago. In the initial pages there was a page entitled “Introduction” then in parenthesis were the words (to be read). That is the purpose of the 66 books of the Holy Bible. Everyone should read them, even preachers and Sunday school teachers. Exposing the mind to the Holy, infallible Word gives the Holy Spirit something to work with in aiding our spiritual growth toward maturity. I believe no one should remain ignorant of the Word of his Creator Whom he is soon destined to meet.

FOR THOUGHT: Do you own a copy of the Bible? Are you fully aware that one day, sooner than you think, you must give an account of your knowledge of its content? Starting right now, will you give some time to reading the Bible each day?