We Need the Bible pt. 1

Westminster Confession of Faith

Chapter I. Section I.

Of Holy Scripture

I've lived on a one-way street all my life, which has made our neighborhood mostly quiet and cozy. But at least once a week we get an oblivious driver who completely misses the big red "One Way, Do Not Enter" sign posted at the intersection just down from my house.

Most often times though, the person behind the wheel isn't completely oblivious to his environment. The cars usually proceed at a slower speed. If you asked the driver, he probably could not tell you why he was moving with a bit more caution than usual. But others, more sensitive to their surroundings, could articulate the strange feeling that makes them hesitant to hit the gas: All the cars parked along the side of the narrow road are pointing the opposite direction.

Though the evidence of their "wrong-way-ed-ness" is directly before them the drivers continue along their merry way (though the pinpricks of their conscience makes it not-so-merry). And it is not until I, or some other resident on the street who is deeply annoyed at the senseless wrong-wayer, step into the road to halt the oncoming car and politely inform the driver that they are going the wrong way on the one way street.

After the reddening of embarrassment and the nervous laugh (which is accompanied by the ever unapologetic "Oh, Sorry!") the driver seeks to turn their vehicle around. Some, more hardened in their driving, look at you like you are dumb and drive on.

Lately I have had more compassion for my wrong way driver friends. For one, I have to confess that I am the chief of oblivious drivers. Secondly, this mistake is made all the time by every human being that walks the earth with respects to their knowledge and acknowledgement of God.

In the book of Romans we learn that all men know God to some extent. "His invisible attributes, namely his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made." But despite our knowledge of him, we fail to acknowledge him as God. Or as Romans 1:21 says, "For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him."

Just as the driver coming down my street the wrong way consciously could tell that they were in the wrong, each and every person knows that they ought to be paying homage to God. But despite our better knowledge (and like that driver) we stubbornly continue in our wrong.

Moreover, it is not until the Lord himself steps in our way with Holy Script that we come to understand our insubordination and the way out of it. The revelation of God speaks to our hearts and shows us what we would not have otherwise known: God is gracious. Through His Word we learn that wayward sinners can have life and salvation if we turn around and begin a new life in a new direction.