"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.
I am a Missional Leader and Community Life Pastor. This blog is a place for people who're interested in learning to HEAR God, FOLLOW Christ, and / or LEAD others. Everything here is my own opinion, meant to help you wake up to God's dream for your life. 
#1 by Heather on March 16, 2010 - 5:57 am
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This is a great post and one that seems to be touching my life a lot lately. It is amazing how many times scripture is misquoted or taken out of context in so many main stream christian books conveying ideas that are not exactly biblical. Also, it seems that some people do not believe the God of the Old Testament is the same God of the New Testament and I have even heard christians saying "what is God saying now?" As if His message is somehow different for this age. They also said that they did not want people to believe in a book but in Jesus. I appreciate the fact that God still speaks to his people but I feel a little nervous about new revelations or the fact that some christians seem to be able to have a "Godly encounter" whenever they feel like it. I dont know about anyone else but my relationship with Jesus doesnt seem to work that way. Thanks for blogging this and helping me to think about it more.
#2 by ABGFHG on June 11, 2010 - 10:17 pm
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One of my favorites…
"14 I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
15 I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one.
16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
17 Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.
18 As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.
19 For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth. "
-John 17:14-19
I'm pretty sure God the Father listens, and responds, when God the Son prays. Jesus asks the Father here to sanctify us. How? In truth. Where is this truth? In His word. It is an absolutely necessary and powerfully effective tool in our sanctification. With that said, ignoring the Word is spiritual suicide, or at the very least, self-inflicted spiritual paralyzation.