direction, the counsel I listen to for making wise decisions, and
the benchmark I use for evaluating everything. The Bible must
always have the first and last word in my life.
Many of our troubles occur because we base our choices on
unreliable authorities: culture (“everyone is doing it”), tradition
(“we’ve always done it”), reason (“it seemed logical”), or
emotion (“it just felt right”). All four of these are flawed by the
Fall. What we need is a perfect standard that will never lead us in
the wrong direction. Only God’s Word meets that need. Solomon
reminds us, “Every word of God is flawless,”^10 and Paul explains,
“Everything in the Scriptures is God’s Word. All of it is useful for
teaching and helping people and for correcting them and showing
them how to live.”^11
In the early years of his ministry, Billy Graham went through a
time when he struggled with doubts about the accuracy and
authority of the Bible. One moonlit night he dropped
to his knees in tears and told God that, in spite of
confusing passages he didn’t understand, from
that point on he would completely trust the Bible
as the sole authority for his life and ministry. From
that day forward, Billy’s life was blessed with
unusual power and effectiveness.
The most important decision you can make today
is to settle this issue of what will be the ultimate authority
for your life. Decide that regardless of culture, tradition, reason,
or emotion, you choose the Bible as your final authority.
Determine to first ask, “What does the Bible say?” when making
decisions. Resolve that when God says to do something, you will
trust God’s Word and do it whether or not it makes sense or you
feel like doing it. Adopt Paul’s statement as your personal
affirmation of faith: “I believe everything that agrees with the Law
and that is written in the Prophets.”^12
I must assimilate its truth.It is not enough just to believe the
Bible; I must fill my mind with it so that the Holy Spirit can
PURPOSE #3: You Were Created to Become Like Christ 187