As a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I am a convinced proponent concerning the inerrancy of Scripture. Inerrancy states that the Bible is the revealed and inspired Word of God. It is not only accurate and reliable but it is authoritative in nature and completely without error. The apostle Paul writes; “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17) In this text, Paul reveals that all Scripture is “God-breathed”. In other words, the Holy Spirit of God is the divine author and producer of the Scriptures. Peter writes; “Prophecy of Scripture came by holy men of God who spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Peter 1:21) The men God used to record the Scriptures were not without error but what He revealed to them and everything we read in our Bible is without error. John MacArthur once wrote; “There are no inspired Scripture writers, only inspired Scripture.”
The evidence for the inerrancy of Scripture is significant. If one simply investigates the writers themselves, all of them reveal its nature. Moses spoke freely about the source of his writings as did other prophets mentioned in the Old Testament. Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel, to name a few, all referenced how the Word of God came to them. In fact, sometimes God simply put His words into the mouth of the prophet to say and record exactly what God desired. David, also a major contributor to the Old Testament, spoke often concerning the Spirit’s role in his life. And of course Jesus spoke to the disciples concerning the Comforter or Holy Spirit that would come and teach them following His death, resurrection and ascension into heaven. He affirmed its inspiration and inerrancy by constantly referring to the Old Testament Scripture. In fact, many church fathers such as Augustine and Clement of Rome defended the inerrancy of the Bible. Therefore, if all Scripture is God-breathed and God is a God of truth (John 17:3) then what God has revealed to man is without error for He is not only a holy God (Isaiah 6:3) but a perfect God (Psalm 18:30).
Having said all of this, while every generation of believers has had the responsibility of defending the inerrancy of Scripture, there is another significant issue that has arisen in the church today. Paul wrote to Timothy saying; “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers, and they will turn their ears away from the truth and be turned aside to fables.” (2 Timothy 4:4) This is what is taking place in the church today. Many have adopted a mindset which has led to a lifestyle of compromise. It really is not a matter of whether these people agree with the inerrancy, it simply boils down to which Scriptures they choose to obey and which ones they choose to compromise. In essence, while Scripture is authoritative and God-breathed, some in the church are choosing to cheat on God for the sake of the flesh and self-gratification. The fact is, while the church should be influencing the world, the world is actually influencing the church. Many Christians today support the life principles revealed in God’s Word, it’s just they live as if some principles don’t apply to them.
Sin Separates
Sin always separates! When a believer compromises his faith, he gives up what he has for something he thinks he wants more. When the decision is made to willingly sin against God, one’s relationship with Him is greatly affected. When a believer allows a consistent sin into their life, they begin living a lie. They are attempting to do what Jesus said could not be done; serve two masters. (Matthew 6:24) Is it possible that the church consists of people who constantly sacrifice sweet fellowship and peace with God for something not of God? The possible sins of compromise include drugs, alcohol, pornography, sex, materialism, promiscuity, pride, gossip and anything else not of God. In Luke 18:8 Jesus asked a question; “When the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” This is a question every Christian must ask himself. If Jesus were to return this hour, would He find me faithful? Or, am I compromising my relationship with Him in some way?
In Acts 5 the story is told about a couple named Ananias and Sapphira. They were a part of a church in which God was moving in a great way. Ananias and Sapphira sold a plot of land but kept back part of the proceeds for themselves. It appears at some point prior to the process, they promised to give all the money to the church but out of selfishness or maybe even pride, they failed to make good on the promise. Peter stepped in and asked Ananias one simple question followed by a statement; “Why did you allow Satan to deceive you? You have lied to the Holy Spirit.” Ananias and Sapphira said one thing but then did another. In the process they compromised their integrity and their relationship with God and it cost them their lives. In the text (V.2) the Bible says that they “kept back” part of the proceeds. In the Greek the phrase “kept back” means “to separate” or “to rob”. Remember, sin always separates and they robbed God of their faithfulness towards Him.
Time to Take Inventory
Is there an area of your life in which you are robbing God? Have you allowed something into your life that is not of God? Are you keeping back a sin, an addiction or a source of self-gratification that, to this point, you have been unwilling to let go? It may not cost you your life, but it may cost you your testimony, your integrity, your purity, your family, your marriage, your ministry or your future. What must be remembered is this; when a person makes a decision to receive Christ as Lord and Savior, a commitment is made, a covenant joined. By entering into a relationship with Christ, a person makes Jesus Lord of all and the commitment is one of devotion, loyalty and faithfulness to our God. For a believer to give up what they have with God for the sake of something they believe is better, is foolishness. There is nothing better than being at peace with God!
If you know Christ as your Savior, do not simply support the inerrancy of Scripture, live your life according to Scripture because the sum of all of it applies to all of us. Do not simply pick and choose hoping God will turn a blind eye to your sin. Repent of whatever is separating you from the blessings of God. Again I say; sin always separates. If you do not know Christ, begin a relationship with Him today and enjoy the peace, forgiveness and sweet fellowship He offers through Christ alone.
