The Way to Life
The Map
The little boy watches his father studying a city map. The boy asks, "Why do you need a Map?"
"Because we're going where we've never been before. Perhaps I can find work in this city," replies his father.
The boy thinks more. Suddenly he says, "Father, my birthday is coming soon. I shouldn't ask for much, but there is one thing you can give me."
"I'll give you whatever I can, son. What is it you want?"
The boy answers, "A map."
The father is puzzled. "Why do you want a map?"
The boy explains, "Because I am growing older. I will be going where I have never been before. And you said, 'For that, one needs a map'."
Suppose you are the boy's father or mother. What would you give to meet your son's need for a sense of direction in life?
Why Consider The Bible?
Consider the Bible as the Map for life. Its wisdom spans many centuries, yet millions today find its message as fresh and relevant as ever. They find that its principles work in daily life - in every stage of life. They discover purpose for living. That purpose gives them hope for now and for the future - even beyond this life. They believe in a home with God forever. In other words, they believe the Bible when it claims to speak for God.
In seeking a map for life, consider the Bible's claims. Again and again, it assures us that it is the pure word from our Maker. Yes, the Map for life.
In over 2,000 places the prophets of the Bible say things like this:
- The Lord said to me . . .
- These are the words of the Lord . . .
- This is what the Lord says . . .
Moses said that God's laws, the Ten Commandments, were written "by the finger of God" on stone tablets (Exodus 31:18). He reported that God spoke with him "face to face, as a man speaks with his friend" (Exodus 33:11).
King David said,
The Spirit of the Lord spoke through me; His word was on my tongue (2 Samuel 23:2-3).
The prophet Jeremiah wrote,
Then the Lord reached out His hand and touched my mouth and said to me, "Now, I have put My words in your mouth" (Jeremiah 1:9).
We must seriously ask, "Did these prophets have a bad habit of lying? Or were they telling the truth, and God really did speak through them?"
Jesus assured us that the Bible prophets spoke the truth.
- He relied on their reports of history (Matthew 12:40; 24:37-39).
- He trusted in all their writings - also called Scriptures - and taught us the same trust (Matthew 5:17-19; Luke 16:17,29; 24:27,44; John 5:39-47).
- He based His teachings on the exact words they used (Matthew 19:5-6; 22:32). He asked, "Have you not read what God said to you?" (Matthew 22:31-32).
- He reminded us, "The Scriptures cannot be broken" (John 10:35).
The apostles [Jesus' spokesmen] Paul and Peter taught the same thing.
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
For prophecy [God's message] never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:21).
The Book
How can a book come to have such a title - The Book? The Bible fully deserves such a special title. No matter how one looks at facts about books, the Bible is outstanding as The Book.
OLD COPIES
How many ancient copies from the New Testament still exist? In the original language alone, well over 4,000! The oldest of these dates back close to the time when the New Testament was first written. Among ancient writings, no other collection is so well supported by so much evidence.
TRANSLATIONS
The Bible was first written in Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek. It has come into our modern languages through translation. The Bible's message is so important that it has been translated into 2,000 languages. No other book has been translated more widely, and this trend continues.
PRINTING
The Bible was the first book printed for the ordinary people. It remains the most printed, circulated and read book of all time (billions more than the next top book).
HONESTY
The Bible's complete truth and honesty make it quite different from other ancient histories. The Bible shows both the good and bad, even in Israel's greatest leaders. Whether king or slave, rich or poor, man or woman, all were measured by the same ruler, "the law of the Lord."
FOLLOWING
Over a quarter of the world's population claims some belief in the Bible. Three great world religions claim roots linked with the Bible. Whoever seeks a Map for life should consider the Bible.
WRITING
The Bible was written by 40 men during a period of over 1,500 years. Most of these writers were not alive at the same time. They could not work together in any direct way. Yet the Bible has one continuing story flowing through it.
THE BOOK OF BOOKS
The Bible deserves this title because it is outstanding among books. But in another sense, it is The Book of Books because it is a library. Its first 39 books make up the Old Testament. They were written mainly in Hebrew between 1,500 and 400 years B.C. The second part, the New Testament, has 27 books written in Greek between A.D. 50 and 100. (Many today divide history into two parts. B.C. refers to time before Jesus Christ's birth. A.D. refers to time after Jesus Christ's birth.) The New Testament books complete the Gospel - which means Good News - about Jesus. Together, these 66 writings form a complete, united picture. No other book has been written like this. In the most amazing way, the Bible joins centuries of history with the highest wisdom. Above all, it shows us the Way to come home to God.
What Are Your Needs?
There are many reasons for taking the Bible seriously. Among them is its practical wisdom for successful living. What is your need? See if the Bible addresses that need or its root.
NEED FOR LOVE
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).
I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me (Galatians 2:20).
NEED FOR FAMILY
In love God predestined [planned for] us to be adopted as His sons (Ephesians 1:4-5).
You are no longer foreigners and aliens, but . . . members of God's household (Ephesians 2:19).
NEED FOR LIFE
I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full (John 10:10).
Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies" (John 11:25).
NEED FOR GUIDANCE
You have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 3:15).
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him (James 1:5).
NEED FOR STRENGTH
Everything is possible for him who believes. . . . With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God (Mark 9:23; 10:27).
God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it (1 Corinthians 10:13).
I can do everything through Him who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13).
NEED FOR SECURITY
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. . . . The Lord will keep you from all harm - He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore (Psalm 121:2,7-8).
"Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" (Hebrews 13:5-6).
NEED FOR FORGIVENESS
Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins (Act 2:38).
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
NEED FOR HEALTH
Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. . . . And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up (James 5:13,15).
NEED FOR PEACE
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7).
Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid (John 14:27).
NEED FOR FOOD AND CLOTHES
Why do you worry? "Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well (Matthew 6:28,33).
I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed (Psalm 37:25-26).
NEED FOR FRIENDSHIP
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. . . . I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from My Father I have made known to you (John 15:13,15).
NEED FOR HOPE
In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade - kept in heaven for you (1 Peter 1:3-4).
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure (Hebrews 6:19).
ALL YOUR NEEDS
God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work (2 Corinthians 9:8).
My God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).
Relationship
More Than "Religion"
As the Bible addresses your needs, do you sense the importance of relationship?
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