An Open Book

Scripture Reading: Romans !6:25-27

Have you ever had it said of you, "I can read you like an open book!"? This denotes our transparency in demeanor and character as well as our openness to others in lifestyle and habits. For some folks that is okay, for others that is not very comforting to think that we are that open.

God's Word on the other hand welcomes this openness. God's Word is an Open Book to all those who desire to know Him. In times past many religious leaders of the day desired to shut out God's Word from the general public knowledge by not allowing an English translation. They did this because they knew that if God's Word were made known freely to man, this man would in turn not allow the injustices afforded by the "church." It is sad that today God's Word is available to everyone, but now its not desired to be looked into as it was during the days of old.

Do you consider the Bible to be an open or shut book? What I mean by that is simply do you understand and receive what the Bible has to say about different areas of life? Granted that not anyone at all points knows every concept and aspect of the Bible's teachings with perfect clarity and understanding. There are hard to perceive passages no doubt. However, the life changing message in all points is freely understood by all men that even a child can understand it. So if the message of the Bible is so simple, you may wonder why you may not understand it.

The key to unlocking the "mystery" of the Scripture is calling on the Lord Jesus Christ to be your Savior. When one does that in sincere faith of the heart, the Holy Spirit comes in and develops a relationship between man and God that cannot be had any other way. Then the Holy Spirit (at the same moment) unlocks the Truths of Scripture to your understanding, Truths that once seemed like foolish religious nonsense. This is the first step in growing with God's Word.

Even though the Bible is comprised of 66 books and so many thousands of pages, it is inexhaustible in it's teachings and depth. One can read the entire Bible cover to cover, and then read it again and glean new revealed Truths every time. The passages of Scripture reveals hope, correction, prophecy, life wisdom and a host of other things. None of them stand hidden or locked away from the student who desires to know them.

Why is the Bible so open? Simply because it is a reflection of its Supreme Author. God desires above all that mankind should know Him personally. Its one thing to know about something, but quite another to be knowledgeable of something in its ways, patterns, thoughts, intents, character, and nature. God has no intention of keeping us in the dark about Who He is. Only the deceptive do such to hold an advantage over the weak minded. Of course there are things about God He has not revealed, but we know that those things, because of His holiness, is guarded for our good and not for our detriment.

Secondly the Bible is so open because God desires us to know exactly how we are related to Him and stand with Him. At this point, the Bible doesn't seem to be so appealing to some. The Light of the Good News and the way God worked and works in the Old Testament teachings spotlights our sinful condition. It can make man feel uncomfortable and wretched. This is the best news man can hear, but few accept it, because they will not read farther to seek the remedy for their soulst. However, if the Bible only told us what we want hear, still the inevitable judgement was coming and we would all wash out never knowing what was really important. God would be so cruel if He had not told us ALL the story. Every story, every verse, every application is geared towards one thing...how you and I measure up with God and His plans for us. Of course no one can measure to the holiness of God, but we can desire to know where we stand with Him as we see Him relating to us and we to Him.

Thirdly, God desires the Bible to be open so that we may have constant access to His help and assurance. Along with words of correction and judgement comes the beautiful mountains of hope and help. The Psalms are particularly used to help the hurting and the hopeless. Unlike a man's counselling office, God does never close nor does He weary of hearing the broken lives of His people. God does not say that we should come back at a more convenient time. With God, we can petition Him for our help and as we read His Word we notice similar situations and how God's unchanging Character shown through. Mankind is used to limitations and posted hours. God has never considered giving man only half of His "ear" but will come to all them that sincerely desire to follow Him. Imagine being put out of your home and no one to turn to. Imagine life with no where to turn. This is the same horrors God desires for us to avoid as He stands ready to help.

Fourthly, the Bible is open because no man can shut it up. The more man tries, the more the Bible is proclaimed. The Bible has multiplied and grown that it is global in its circulation. Even after thousands of years of fighting and disputing, no one party has prospered by trying to take the Bible out of schools and homes. The more men try to squelch its Truth, the more loudly it shouts. God's Word is the living representative of God in the physical sense. We can see it with our eyes and hear it with our ears. The Word is Living. Who God is, is testified in His writings. This is why man cannot silence the Bible, for he has no power to silence the Living God. The church of God grows best under persecution. We don't like that idea of persecution, but after while in Glory, we shall see the wondrous results.

Finally, the Bible is an Open Book so that no reason man will ever have to claim ignorance of his condemnation. No one will ever say in the Day of Judgement, "I didn't know." With the Internet, Radio, TV, printed material now for centuries, man is without excuse. Should God have only decided to let His Book be seen by a privileged few, then He would be unjust. However, in the last days, all men everywhere will hear what God says. God leaves man with the greatest hope freely before all men. It is up to man to decide whether to trust in it or not. Either way, God is just because He is an Open God with an Open Word.

The Bible is widely available all over the world and is saturated in its distribution in America. Is the Bible welcome in your heart? Do you find its Truths to be something you desire? Never has man had something so wonderful be so available and not hindered by prejudice or any condition. Thank God for His Wonderful Gift that gives man Hope, Strength and Warning as it is needed, freely.

Let the Bible be open to your heart today.

Lord Jesus, thank You for such an awesome book with a special love for me in your Heart. Help us to desire to read Your Word more often and every time we do, grow us in the knowledge of You and encourage us beyond measure. Thank You for your love for us. May we reciprocate that same love as we focus on Your Word. Amen.