Scripture Reference: 1 Corinthians 2:9-14

In this lesson I want to give you five important applications of the Word of God. Since it is His verbally inspired revelation, it is the best source we have to showcase the five needs I’m going to list.

The Bible says:

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Thirty-five times in Psalm 119 we read “your word.” Look at just three of those verses:

“How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word” (verse 9).

“I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you” (verse 11).

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (verse 105).

The Bible is the Word of God.

1. The Bible Is the Only Book That Tells How One Can Be Saved

The first application for which only the Bible is sufficient is in salvation, to be born again, simply put, how to be saved.

“From childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:15).

There is no other book but the Bible that can tell one how to go to Heaven. Good gospel tracts and other literature show the way to Heaven, but only because they contain portions of the Bible.

The Bible alone is able to “make you wise for salvation,” and any hope of salvation apart from the Bible is absolutely and utterly futile.

Some people say, “Well, my opinion is . . .” Never mind your opinion. In this lesson I’m going to give you what the Bible says, not mine or anyone else’s opinion.

Someone else might say, “But I know a fellow who believes . . .” It doesn’t matter what that fellow believes. He may have enough degrees to make him look like a thermometer, but he is not smarter than God!

Only in the Bible can anyone find how to be saved and how to go to Heaven. I give part of it here briefly: “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life” (John 3:36). “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31). Notice that each one of these verses, doesn’t say maybe. Rather they are emphatic. You will have eternal life and you will be saved.

Yet someone might argue, “But there are a lot of different religions. As long as a man is sincere in what he believes, and lives a good life, he’ll go to Heaven.” Don’t be fooled. You are wrong! The Bible doesn’t say that, or even hint at it; but it does say, “Whoever does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16). The King James Version comes right out and says they “shall be damned.” There’s no sugar-coating the truth in any version.

Your logic about being sincere, doing good, and then going to Heaven will not hold water. If I leave here today and head in the opposite direction of my home, even if I am sincere in believing that my house has been moved over in that direction, I will never get home. I will have to change my mind and direction in order to arrive at my destination. Sincerity doesn’t always equal truth.

To Be Continued

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, ESV © 2016 by Crossway Bibles.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.