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“But the word of the LORD endures forever.” (1 Peter 1:25, NKJV)
Peter held a high view of the Bible. He regarded it for what it is, the word of God Himself. In his second epistle Peter explains to us the nature of Scripture: “no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Pet. 1:20–21).
In this affirmation, Peter recognizes that the written Word does not ultimately originate with man but with God. He particularly identifies the Holy Spirit as the One who brings truth to light. The Spirit inspires, illuminates, and accomplishes His purposes through the Bible. Those Scriptures relate to the Old Testament and also to the New (cf. 2 Pet. 3:15-16).
More than being a recorded historical record or a compilation of spiritual maxims, the Bible features a Savior and holds the power of God to know and receive Him. After calling it living and abiding Peter cites Isaiah 40, saying, “All flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls away, but the word of the LORD endures forever” (1 Pet. 1:24-25). This Word is enduring, living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Heb. 4:12). It accomplishes the purposes for which God intends it (Isa. 55:11).
Peter punctuates the power and purpose of the Word when he says, “Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you” (1 Pet. 1:25). In other words, the beating heart of the Scriptures is the good news of salvation bound up in Jesus Christ, something Peter has summarized (1 Pet. 1:20-21), characterized (1 Pet. 1:24-25), and actualized (1 Pet. 1:23) in the accomplishment of God’s saving purposes.
All this serves as a reminder for us of what we possess in the holy Scriptures. Through them the Spirit nourishes us with the truth and invigorates us for our journey as aliens and sojourners.
REFLECTION: The Bible is the living word of the living God displaying the living Savior.
Unless noted otherwise, Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, New King James Version, copyright ©1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.