Did you know the King James Version of the Bible contains 66 books, 1,189 chapters, 31,102 verses, and 788,258 words? The longest book is Psalms, with 150 chapters and 42,704 words. The shortest book is 2 John, with 1 chapter and only 294 words.
The Bible is not simply “a book”. It is a miraculously-preserved LIBRARY, bursting with stories, facts, and instructions. It covers virtually every topic imaginable: history, geography, cosmology, the origin of languages, the origin of nations, medicine, agriculture, relationships, law, life, health, death, resurrection, and eternity. One could spend every waking hour studying the Bible and still not understand it all.
So what is it all about?
Despite the immense span of time and topics it addresses, there is simplicity to the Bible that’s easy to forget. Paul feared that some might forget it (2 Corinthians 11:3). It is simply this: the Bible—God’s Word—is about a Way of life. It is about THE Way of life. The one and only Way (John 14:6) that leads to health, happiness, peace, joy, and, of course, to everlasting life (2 Timothy 3:15).
What does the Bible say God requires of us? It’s simple. He requires that we live a certain Way of life (Deuteronomy 10:12-13; Micah 6:8).
Why were the stories, sorrows, and successes of ancient people recorded in the Bible? It’s simple. They were recorded as examples, to teach us the right Way to live, and warn us about the consequences of living the wrong way (Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 10:11).
Christ said many things in the Old and New Testament (see our booklet, “Jesus Christ–A Great Mystery!”). When asked what was the greatest commandment in ALL the Law, what did Christ say? He said there are two:
First, in Matthew 22:37, “…YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.”
Second, in Matthew 22:39, “…YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.”
Twenty seven simple words, in English. Words on which Christ said “…hang all the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 22:40).
When all the prophesies of the Bible have been fulfilled, and other physical things have ceased, what will remain? Paul tells us that God’s Way of humble, patient, kind love will remain, and will never, ever cease (1 Corinthians 13:4-10).
What will also remain, if we are counted worthy, will be the godly character God is building in us. Character forged through a lifetime of living His Way of give, instead of get. A life of heartfelt service to (John 13:14-15), and sacrifice for others (1 John 3:16-18; Romans 12:1), even for our enemies (Luke 6:27-36). That’s the Way Christ lived (Matthew 20:28; Romans 5:8). It’s how we must live, also (1 John 2:6, 28-29). There is no other Way to eternal life. It’s that simple.
So what is the most fundamental and important message of the Bible–the conclusion of the matter–as Solomon said (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)? It is simply this: God is calling us to the Way of life. He tells us that we MUST constantly grow in this Way. A simple, beautiful, pure, perfect Way OF life, and TO eternal life.
That’s what the Bible is about. It is speaking to US. And it is saying, “THIS is the Way, walk in it” (Isaiah 30:21).
