In his new book, Taking God Seriously: Vital Things We Need to Know, J. I. Packer makes a simple yet profound statement about the Bible. He says, "The Bible is both God-given and God-giving...." God-given and God-giving. That's not only a nice turn of phrase; it is vitally true and crucial for us to understand. Because the Bible is God-given, it is authoritative, trustworthy, and accurate. And because the Bible is God-giving, it is powerful, "living and active," and self-revealing. This has enormous implications for how we read the Bible, for how we preach and teach the Bible, and for how we hear the Bible preached and taught.
So fellow preachers and teachers, remember this as you stand before God's people this Sunday to proclaim the Word. Remember that the Bible is God-given and therefore authoritative and true. But remember also that it is God-giving and therefore powerful and able. You are not just giving people the Word of God; you are giving them God through his Word!
