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"All Things Desirable To Men ..."

Jarrod Jacobs

"All things desirable to men are contained in the Bible." This is one of the many quotes of Abraham Lincoln. Certainly, this man understood something that the majority of people today do not. Anything desirable, anything worthy of imitation, anything pleasing to God will be found in the Bible, the word of God! Peter said that God "hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness" (II Pet. 1:3). If God has given us "all things," then what do we lack? If He has given us "all things" then why are men so pressed to find life's "necessities" somewhere else? Truly, "all things desirable to men are contained in the Bible."

Within the pages of Inspiration, we find God's instructions for life. The meaning of life is summed up thusly: "Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man" (Ecc. 12:13). God's word instructs us to treat men as we would want them to treat us (Matt. 7:12). No one has ever improved on this! God declares that it is necessary to live at peace with all men. We are to "follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another" (Rom. 14:19). If people would just do this, we would have a much more peaceful existence upon this earth! God instructs us to speak to others in an edifying way, and to not tear one another down through malicious words and gossip (Eph. 4:29, 31). Husbands and wives are to submit themselves to one another and love one another, cleaving to each other, and forsaking all others (Eph. 5:22-33). For any relationship you wish to discuss, the Bible has the answer. It truly contains "all things desirable to men."

The Bible also contains God's plan for the salvation of mankind from sin. We see it unfolding from Genesis 3, and continue to take shape until the coming of Christ who died on the cross for us! The Bible teaches that Christ was "the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world" (Rev. 13:8). His blood was shed to purchase us and to take away our sin (I Pet. 1:18-19; Matt. 26:28; Jn. 1:29). God loved man so much that He allowed His Son to die on our behalf (Jn. 3:16; Rom. 5:6-9). Christ died for us, shed his blood, and resurrected on the third day, declaring Himself to be the Son of God with power (Rom. 1:4). The Holy Spirit was then sent to guide the apostles into "all truth" so that they could preach and teach the truth to all nations, which they did (II Pet. 1:20-21; Jn. 14:26, 15:26, 16:13; Col. 1:5-6, 23; Rom. 16:26).

Now, it is man's responsibility to do that which is right and submit himself to God's will. He must come believing that Jesus is the Son of God (Jn. 8:24), repenting of his sins (Lk. 13:3), he must confess his faith in Christ (Matt. 10:32), and then be baptized for the remission of his sins (Acts 2:38). Upon doing these things, the Bible reveals that man is saved (Mk. 16:16). Notice please that man is not saved simply by "doing something." Man is not saved on his own merit. Man is saved by hearing and doing the will of God. He has done nothing on his own by which to boast, but has simply done what Christ expected of Him (Lk. 17:10). He must then live a faithful life to God, doing the Lord's will as His faithful servant (I Cor. 15:58; Rev. 2:10). The Bible teaches that when we submit to God, doing His will, and obeying His word, we become His servant or slave (Rom. 6:16-18). Still, this is a desirable position! What better place to be than in the loving care and mercy of a loving God whom you can now call your Father (Rom. 8:15; Gal. 4:6)? What could be more "desirable" than this?

The Bible contains the wisdom, and power of God to salvation (Rom. 1:16). Why men continue to push God aside amazes me! Only in this Sacred Volume can we learn of God's wisdom. God has revealed things to us that belong to us and our children forever (Deut. 29:29). When men refuse God's word, they are refusing God's wisdom!

They are refusing God's power to save, for the Bible says the gospel "is the power of God unto salvation" (Rom. 1:16). The Bible reveals our origins, it reveals our purpose for being here, and it reveals what shall become of us (the faithful AND unfaithful) at the end of time. Jesus said that this book will be our standard of judgment on the Judgment Day (Jn. 12:48). Seeing that this is true, how foolish it is to cast this book aside as "antiquated," or "a book of myths," or anything else! The Bible is necessary, vital, and alive, and we better never forget that (Heb. 4:12)!!

Yes, "all things desirable to men are contained in the Bible." The question is: Will you accept, or reject the Bible?

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