We must not ignore the Bible’s claims that it is inerrant, infallible, and eternal. However, we must remember that, when we refer to the Bible as perfect, we are speaking of its perfection in its original text. As much as we trust most translations, only the original can be considered to be faultless.
- Scripture claims to be pure, that is, unmixed with anything that is not true.
Psalms 12:6 NIV
[6] “And the words of the Lord are flawless, like silver purified in a crucible, like gold refined seven times.”
Proverbs 30:5-6 NIV
[5] “Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. [6] Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.”
There are serious consequences for those who add, subtract, or alter God’s Word in any way. For example…
Revelation 22:18-19 NLT
[18]” And I solemnly declare to everyone who hears the words of prophecy written in this book: If anyone adds anything to what is written here, God will add to that person the plagues described in this book. [19] And if anyone removes any of the words from this book of prophecy, God will remove that person’s share in the tree of life and in the holy city that are described in this book.”
Since God and His Word are one and, since Jesus is the embodiment of God’s Word, it stands to reason that the Bible is without fault.
- The Word of God is eternal. Again the Bible speaks for itself…
Psalms 119:89 NIV
[89]”Your word, Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.”
Matthew 24:35 NLT
[35] “Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.”
Jess Himself is the guarantor of all God’s promises.
2 Corinthians 1:19-20 NLT
[19] “For Jesus Christ, the Son of God, does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” He is the one whom Silas, Timothy, and I preached to you, and as God’s ultimate “Yes,” he always does what he says. [20] For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory.”
- The third in this trio of guarantees is that God’s Word is infallible. What God promised, He did. What God threatened, He did. When God made promises yet to be fulfilled, we can be sure that He will keep his Word. Unlike humans whose promises are often, as my mother used to say, “…Like pie crusts, made to be broken,” God cannot lie and He does not speak lightly or make extravagant promises He cannot keep.
The angel Gabriel, bringing God’s message of the child she was to bear, assured Mary…
Luke 1:37 NLT
[37] For the word of God will never fail.”
We can be sure of every word God has spoken, even those words of judgment coming on those who refuse to believe His Word, those who trouble His people, and those who defy Him by their wickedness.
Psalms 37:9-10 NLT
[9] “For the wicked will be destroyed, but those who trust in the Lord will possess the land. [10] Soon the wicked will disappear. Though you look for them, they will be gone.”
2 Thessalonians 1:5-9 NLT
[5] “And God will use this persecution to show his justice and to make you worthy of his Kingdom, for which you are suffering. [6] In his justice he will pay back those who persecute you. [7] And God will provide rest for you who are being persecuted and also for us when the Lord Jesus appears from heaven. He will come with his mighty angels, [8] in flaming fire, bringing judgment on those who don’t know God and on those who refuse to obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus. [9] They will be punished with eternal destruction, forever separated from the Lord and from his glorious power.”
Although we are not to rejoice over the downfall of the wicked, God has given us the reassurance that He will take revenge on those who have caused us pain and harm. We can safely leave all judgment to Him because His Word will never fail.
Romans 12:19 NLT
[19] “Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord.”
Most encouraging for us is the truth that God’s infallible Word will be the standard by which He judges.
John 12:48-49 NLT
[48]”But all who reject me and my message will be judged on the day of judgment by the truth I have spoken. [49] I don’t speak on my own authority. The Father who sent me has commanded me what to say and how to say it.”
Who Jesus is, then, God’s Word sent to us to reveal the Father by His life…
John 1:14 NLT
[14]” So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.”
… Is the final standard by which God will vindicate or judge all people.
John 12:46-48 NIV
[46]” I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness. [47] If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. [48] There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day.”
After Israel’s tortuous journey through a treacherous wilderness from Egypt to the Promised Land, the Bible gives us this comforting conclusion…
Joshua 21:45 NLT
[45] “Not a single one of all the good promises the Lord had given to the family of Israel was left unfulfilled; everything he had spoken came true.”
And again…
Joshua 23:14-16 NLT
[14] “Soon I will die, going the way of everything on earth. Deep in your hearts you know that every promise of the Lord your God has come true. Not a single one has failed! [15] But as surely as the Lord your God has given you the good things he promised, he will also bring disaster on you if you disobey him. He will completely destroy you from this good land he has given you. [16] If you break the covenant of the Lord your God by worshiping and serving other gods, his anger will burn against you, and you will quickly vanish from the good land he has given you.”
As impossible as many of God’s prophecies and promises seem to be, since God is God, nothing is impossible for Him.