In recent weeks, we have noted God’s word is inspired, effectual, enduring, desirable and nourishing. This week we look at another aspect of God’s word: It is incorruptible.
Christians have “been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever” (1 Pet. 1:23). Corruption is often the forerunner to perishing. God’s word is both incorruptible and imperishable.
Christians have used a variety of expressions by which to communicate this truth about God’s word, such as “truth without any mixture of error” or “a perfect treasure of divine instruction” (“The Baptist Faith & Message,” Article I).
Many use the single term “inerrancy” to speak of the Bible’s incorruptible nature. It has not been infiltrated and diluted by human error — God’s word is eternally valid and trustworthy. The passing of centuries has not rendered it outdated or inapplicable. Jesus declared, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away” (Matt. 24:35). Such was a reverberating echo of the psalmist’s declaration, “Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven” (Ps. 119:89). Isaiah states, “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever” (Isa. 40:8).
God’s word is incorruptible, imperishable and eternal. The practical result of these truths is that believers can utterly trust the truthfulness of Scripture. We find in our Bibles “exceedingly great and precious promises” on which a life can be built and by which an eternity is assured.
Christian meditation
In the meantime, God’s pure word is the rewarding subject of Christian meditation, not just a subject to be described as incorruptible truth. Philippians 4:8 sets this forth in unmistakable terms: “Whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on these things.”
For centuries, faithful followers of Christ have devoted themselves to reading, studying and memorizing the Bible; generations have taught it to subsequent generations. People of various languages and ethnicities have lived and died in devotion to Scripture and the Savior revealed therein.
What greater confession can pilgrims in this life utter than that of the psalmist: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (119:105)?
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