The Christian ministry in this age is full of challenges. The philosophers of our age object to the existence of God because of the problem of evil.[1] The Humanists reject the claim that the Bible is the word of God. They are convinced the book was written solely by humans in an ignorant, superstitious, and cruel age. In all these, Christians are to love God in this challenging world, not the things of the world, because the world and its things won’t remain forever, but God remains forever. As believers in Christ, we believe in the inspiration, inerrancy, infallibility, and authority of the Bible. We believe that the Bible is God’s Word for God’s people. It is for their Assurance of God’s promises. It is for their encouragement as they progressively walk with Him on the earth and become spiritually mature (Col. 1:28; 2 Tim. 3:16–17). John reveals the importance of God’s word in three ways. God’s Word is for Your Reassurance (Acts 2:38; 10:43; 4:12; John 6:37-40; Romans 8:1; Eph. 2:4). God’s Word is for Your Encouragement. The encouragement is that you have overcome evil (Eph. 1:20–22; 2:6; Romans 8:35–39). In the case of fear of evil in the world, you can find encouragement in what Christ had done for you (Jn 16:33; 17:15; Eph 6:10; 1 Jn. 4:4; 5:4–5). God’s Word is for Your Spiritual Maturity. “I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, God’s word remains in you” (1 Jn 2:14). Paul says God’s word mature believers (Col. 1:28; 2 Tim. 3:16–17). God’s word has infinite worth. John Piper says, “The word of God has infinite worth because it awakens and sustains faith. The word of God has infinite worth because, through the hearing of his word, God gives us the Holy Spirit. The word of God has infinite worth because it creates and sustains life. The word of God is of infinite value because it gives hope. The word of God is of infinite worth because it enables us to defeat the devil. The word of God is of infinite worth because it is the source of full and everlasting joy.”[2]
