
"The best way to show that a stick is crooked is...to lay a straight stick alongside it." -D. L. Moody
What do you believe about Scripture (aka the Bible)? Is it merely “a word from God,” or “the Word of God?” Because I don’t to waste your time, let me cut to the chase: loyalty to Jesus means loyalty to Jesus’ view of Scripture!
Here’s a quick rundown of what Jesus said about Scripture…
1. We err because we do not know the Scriptures.
Jesus replied, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God” ~ Matt 22:29, NIV
Many leaders in Christian circles today put the Scriptures in the back seat in the name of “the power of God.” Words of knowledge, prophetic utterance, or internal-voice-of-God-revelations should never usurp the Scriptures. For Jesus, the Scriptures are the straight stick by which we evaluate what is called “the power of God.”
2. We dispel darkness with “it is written!”
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone’ ” ~ Luke 4:4, NIV Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only’ ” ~ Luke 4:8, NIV.
Jesus countered the devil’s attack–not with words of knowledge, wisdom, or ecstatic utterance–but with reference to the written Word of God. The Scriptures shed the authoritative light of God that automatically dispels darkness. If we do not know, trust, and rely on Scripture…we’ll unwittingly face spiritual conflicts unarmed.
3. Without the Scriptures, we worship in vain
Jesus ~ They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.’ You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men.” ~ Mark 7:7-8, NIV
So much is done in the name of worship that finds little basis in Scripture. Worship and Scripture are friends, not enemies. Without the commands of God, we would worship golden calves of our own making (i.e. trendy theologies, fashionable forms, celebrity speakers et al). Scripture informs, discloses, and exposes us to the reality of a God worthy of worship.
4. We only understand God’s ways through God’s Word
Jesus ~ It is written: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors’ ; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment” ~ Luke 22:37, NIV
Jesus saw the scenes of His life as framed by Scripture (His ministry, His temporal suffering, and His future glory). Jesus came to understand God’s ways through God’s Word. As a result, He let God have His way with Him. Without God’s Word, God’s ways are hidden from us.
Obviously, this short summary barely scratches the surface. But I reiterate, you should not claim loyalty to Jesus unless you claim loyalty to Jesus’ view of Scripture (the written Word of God in the Old and New Testaments).
According to Jesus, Scripture is THE straight stick by which the crookedness of ALL things is revealed. Scripture tells us what is true and real, as well exposing what is false and mistaken.
It is written / so, read it / and rely on it / forsaking all others.





What image comes to mind when you hear the word “leader”?


