There is power in the Word. It gives us much hope, security, and faith. The Bible stands alone as God’s only perfect guide to life and growth. Through forty or so authors over the course of fifteen hundred years producing consistent set of ideas and stories, God laid out all the elements for us to understand how people grow. Reading the Bible is one of the main ways God speaks to our lives and hearts. We receive comfort and love while experiencing some crisis or struggle (see Psalm 103:1-5). The Bible offers wisdom or correction at a time of decision making (see Proverbs 16:3). There is healing power in God’s Word. The Word of God is living and active (see Hebrews 4:12) and does not return to God empty (see Isaiah 55:11).
The Bible is complete. It contains all the principles we need to understand for both growing spiritually and resolving personal struggles. The Bible clearly presents a process for pursuing spiritual maturity. Sanctification is being progressively set apart for God’s purpose (see romans 6:19). Transformation is being changed from the inside out (see Romans 12:2). Growth is maturing spiritually (see 1Peter 2:2). The idea is that we are designed to become more of who we were created to be (see 2Corinthians 3:18).
The Bible points to God as the Source of all growth. When we see that the Bible points to God for all growth, we understand that all growth is spiritual growth. Everything that fosters growth is ultimately from God. Growth can occur even when the Bible is not given credit. A person might be involved in a support group not purposely practicing biblical principles, but inadvertently practice some of them. As members of the group share vulnerabilities and weaknesses, they begin to develop trust. As they do, they find that they feel safer, resulting in feeling less alone and empty inside. The group may not know it, but they have been applying the biblical practice of confession (see James 5:16). This is how wonderful, powerful, and spiritual the Bible’s growth principles are. How much better it is for someone or a group to understand and know that the system they are following is from the Bible, making it easier for them to surrender to God, the designer of the growth process.
Some people make the mistake of missing the One to whom the Bible is directing them. They become excessively interested in learning the depths and complexities of the Bible, and they forget that it points us toward God. In other words, they make an idol out of the Bible. This happens when emphasis on doctrine or Bible study is to the point of neglecting personal relationship with Jesus, who said that the Scriptures bear witness to Him (see John 5:39). A preacher once said this is like a man who goes into a restaurant and reads the menu. He then exclaims how great the menu is, puts salt and pepper on it, and proceeds to eat it! The Bible was written to give us the path to God, life, and growth, and not to satisfy our intellectual curiosity.
Anyone who has been applying biblical principles for a time can tell you, spiritual growth is anything but “let go and let God”. Rather, it is hard and sometimes painful work, but it is always worth it, for “it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it” (Hebrews 12:11). Understand that teaching “all you need is the Bible” is itself an unbiblical concept. Learn that the Bible teaches that, more than just reading it, we need to get out and live it out in our lives and our relationships.
The Bible was written to give us the path to God, life, and growth.
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