Blue Elevator Blog

Taken as a Whole

In a time long ago, in a galaxy far, far away, I used to be a practicing CPA.  Whereas now I am inactive and focusing on business advisory, I recall a lot of the tenets and practices of the profession.

In particular, one of the premises, when auditing the financial statements of a company, was to assess whether the financial statements, taken as a whole, fairly presented the overall financial condition of the company.  And, it is this phrase, “taken as a whole,” that is of interest.

In another article titled Get Equipped, there was discussion about spending time in God’s Word.  One of the challenges was to read all of God’s Word: the Old Testament and the New Testament.

Why the Entire Bible?

The Old Testament and the New Testament?  Isn’t the Old Testament obsolete?  Didn’t the New Testament replace the Old Testament?  Isn’t the Old Testament for Jewish people and the New Testament for Gentiles?

Perhaps you have heard or thought about those questions before.  Consider these truths.

The Word of God Has Always Existed

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was with God in the beginning.  Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. – John 1:1-3

And this being the entire Word of God: the Old Testament and the New Testament.  All 66 books, as it were.

Jesus, Himself, is the Word of God

• Jesus coming to earth … The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.  We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. – John 1:14
• Jesus said when He was on earth … “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.  For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished …” – Matthew 5:17-18
• In the time leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion … Sanctify them by[a] the truth; your word is truth. – John 17:17
• When Jesus returns to earth … He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. – Revelation 19:13

God’s Word Will Always Be

• Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. – Matthew 24:35
• “… The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.” – Isaiah 40:8
• “… but the word of the Lord endures forever.”[a]  And this is the word that was preached to you. – 1 Peter 1:25
• Your word, LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. – Psalm 119:89

So, there you have it.

• God’s Word always existed (past)
• God’s Word exists (present)
• God’s Word will always be (future)

So, all of God’s Word is relevant.  The Old Testament.  The New Testament.  All 66 books. Every word.

Just Another Book?

Before we conclude …

Let’s tackle one more common objection or question.  Isn’t the Bible just another history book written by a bunch of old dudes that made up a bunch of stuff?

God’s Word addresses that very thing.

Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things.  For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. – 2 Peter 1:20-21

So, there you have it.  The Word of God is exactly that: The Word of God.

… which brings us back to where we started.

Taken as a Whole

Every passage is relevant and powerful.  So, I challenge you to take in all of God’s Word.  You will have a better understanding of God if you read all of the Bible, taken as a whole.

May God bless you as you read His Word!