God's Word

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An unerring chart by which to steer
through the dangerous sea of life

(Arthur W. Pink, "The Attributes of God")

God has placed His Word in our hands for an
intensely practical purpose--namely, to direct
our walk and to regulate our deportment. The
primary purpose for which God gave the Scriptures,
is to make a practical use of them--ordering the
details of our lives by its rules and regulations

"Your word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light
unto my path." (Psalm 119:105). The metaphor
used here is taken from a man walking along a
dangerous road on a dark night, in urgent need
of a lantern to show him where to walk safely
and comfortably, to avoid injury and destruction.

God, in His infinite condescension and transcendent
grace, has given us His Word for this very purpose,
so that we need not stumble along blindly, ignorant
of what pleases or displeases Him--but that we might
know His mind. That divine Word is not given to us
simply for information, but . . .
to regulate our conduct,
to enlighten our minds, and
to mold our hearts.

The Word supplies us with an unerring chart by
which to steer through the dangerous sea of
life. If we sincerely and diligently follow, it will deliver
us from disastrous rocks and submerged reefs--and
direct us safely to the heavenly harbor. That Word
has all the instructions we need for every problem,
and every trouble we may be called upon to face.
That Word has been given to us "that the man of
God may be complete, equipped for every good
work" (2 Tim. 3:17). How thankful we should
be, that God has favored us with such a Word!

This world is a dark place, and it is only as we take
heed to the Word, to the light God has given us, that
we shall be able to perceive and avoid "the broad
road which leads to destruction," and discern the
narrow way which alone "leads unto eternal life."

Our first duty, and our first aim, must be to take up
the Scriptures to ascertain what is God's revealed will
for us--what are the paths He forbids us to walk, what
are the ways pleasing in His sight.

The Scriptures are not given us, primarily, for our
intellectual gratification, nor for emotional admiration,
but for life's regulation. Nor are the precepts and
commands, the warnings and encouragements
contained therein, simply for our information. They
are to be reduced to practice, they require unqualified
obedience. He who treasures the divine precepts in his
heart, and diligently seeks to walk by their rule, will
escape those evils which destroy his fellows.

Thus the great business of the Christian, is to regulate
his life by, and conform his conduct--to the precepts of
the written Word, and the example left us by the Incarnate
Word. As he does so, and in proportion as he does so, he is
emancipated from the darkness of his natural mind,
freed from the follies of his corrupt heart,
delivered from the mad course of this world,
and escapes the snares of the devil.​