According to Scripture Alone:
May we live our lives according to Scripture alone. The Holy Bible is the inspired word of God, breathed out for us, and contains the Scripture for Christians all over the world. In Martin Luther's Bondage of the Will, he speaks of the perspicuity, or the lucidity of Scripture:
"Christ has opened our understanding, that we might understand the Scriptures, and the Gospel is preached to every creature" (Luther, Bondage of the Will, p. 173).
We must be careful not to become blind to the truth that is clearly written and breathed out by God through Scripture. Looking further into what Luther says about the perspicuity of Scripture, he distinguishes between Scripture's external perspicuity and internal perspicuity. The external perspicuity of Scripture refers to the ministry of the word and the internal aspect refers to the knowledge of the heart (Luther, Bondage of the Will, p. 174). Not only this, but in order to understand the Scripture, the Holy Spirit is necessary in order for us to receive it in through faith. This is that inner aspect that allows us to receive the Word of God in full faith and confidence. St. Paul writes in 2 Timothy 3:16:
"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for instruction."
The Bible does not stand alone apart from God, but instead is the instrument by which God reveals himself for our salvation through faith in Christ (). After all, Jesus is the word made flesh (John 1:1), and is the manifestation of God's love, grace, and mercy. Everything in Scripture points to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Therefore, we can hold fast to the Word of God because it gives life, as explained in Matthew 4:4:
"Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God."
Finally, it is through Scripture that God's kingdom comes to us, as Luther describes in the second petition of the Lord's Prayer:
"But God's kingdom comes to us in two ways: first, here, through the Word, and secondly, in that the future, eternal life is given to us... Dear Father, grant thy pure Word, that it may be purely preached throughout the world, and then grant grace and power that it may also be accepted and the people believe" (Luther, Sermons on the Catechism, p. 220).
Personally, the study of scripture has proven to be extremely beneficial and helpful wherever I find myself in life. I never cease to learn or discover something new when reading Scripture. However, there are times where I really fall away from reading my Bible, when I really need to be. Whenever I spend time in Scripture, I learn something new or have something relate directly to what I am going through at that particular time. As well as this, whenever I find myself in a troubling situation or someone around me is suffering, specific passages from Scripture come to mind, and I am able to share them as needed, providing God's word within the situation when I cannot find the words to say.
In order to live out lives that glorifies God, we can start in Scripture, because, after all, God's kingdom comes to us through his word. We must work on challenging ourselves to make time for daily time in Scripture. Just as Luther writes regarding the second petition of the Lord's Prayer:
"For the coming of God's kingdom to us happens in two ways: here in time through the Word and faith; and in eternity forever through revelation" (Luther, Martin Luther's Small and Large Catechisms, p. 248).
Let us pray:
Dear Lord, we thank you for revealing yourself through Scripture. Help us to spend time in your word so that we may grow in faith, understanding, and wisdom. When our hearts our weary, sanctify us in your word, which is truth. Let your kingdom come her on earth, as it is in heaven. In Jesus' name, Amen.
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