THE WORD OF GOD: GOD’S LOVE LETTER TO YOU

Some of you may be old enough to remember getting letters in the mail. Not a text or email. Not a  tweet or a FB shoutout. I’m talking about a letter, beautifully crafted on stationary, penned with ink,  sealed in an envelope and delivered to her place of residence. Oh, how I loved getting letters, especially  while in college. My good ol’ faithful dad sent me such letters at least monthly. His letters would update  me on the happenings at home, share some encouragement and advice, and always express his love for  and pride in me, his daughter.  

And while these letters from my earthly Father were awesome, God’s love letter, the Bible, is  awesomeness on steroids. And it’s from this position, the position that the Bible is indeed a love story  penned by God, written just for me, that I have grown to know and love God more deeply and  intimately.  

Scripture

John 1:1 – In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. II Timothy 3:16-17 – All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof,  for correction, for instruction in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly  equipped for every good work. 

Lessons Learned

Now, I’d be naïve to diminish the Bible to “just a simple love letter from a loving Father to His daughter.”  Because the Bible is so much more complex and intricate than that, it’s a breathing, living, powerful (II  Timothy 3:16-17), timeless, compelling and relevant (Hebrews 13:8, II Peter 1:3), inspired Word of God  (II Peter 1:21) with the ability to penetrate the heart (Hebrews 4:12) and transform lives (2 Corinthians  5:17). The Bible is the ultimate judge of our beliefs, thinking, and actions, guiding us as to how we are to  live until the return of Christ (Isaiah 59:21). The Bible intertwines the sacred and secular history into one  powerful and awesome story of salvation. It is a historical record of the relationship between a  particular people and a “particular God” and how the specialness of that relationship has affected  mankind (Felder, The African American Guide to the Bible).  

The Bible wasn’t written by one author, at one specified time, in a particular order. It was written over a  period of decades. The Bible was written from a position of the author’s “present-day truth and  experiences.” When not foretelling future prophesies or writing direct messages from God, the authors  wrote about events that had already occurred. So they were writing not only through the Divine  guidance of the Holy Spirit but through their cultural, social, political, and personal lenses.  

The Bible is a beautiful love story inspired by a remarkable God who understood that this story needed  to inform and move people. It needed to move people to the point of compassion, commitment and  transformation. God had to engage our hearts as well as our heads.  

So like all great stories, this love story has a beginning, a middle, and an end. It has settings, characters,  plot twists, and themes. And each story contributes to a grander story, the story of our salvation. As  with all good stories, we find the Bible packed with mystery, beauty, war, suffering, victory, betrayal,  love, hate, death, life, forgiveness, grace, and redemption. The Bible is filled with people and tells the  stories of families, friends, lovers, sons, daughters, fathers, mothers, nations, kings, queens, slaves, 

servants, the rich and the poor. And the Bible is filled with poetry, songs and nuggets of wisdom. From  <https://www.faithgateway.com/bible-story/#.YB6sAOhKhPY>

Lessons Live

I could go into greater detail about the make-up of the Bible (The Old and New Testaments, the authors,  the literary approaches, the major themes, etc.). But for me, what’s been most important in knowing the reality that God’s Word is beautiful and is still just as relevant today as it was  years ago. And when His Word becomes active and living. When it becomes the basis in which I  live, move and have my very being (Acts 17:28), well, that’s far more superior, more incredible and life changing than any other exegetical analysis or theological knowledge that I could possess or give.  

For me, the Bible is God’s love letter to me. A love letter that I can read over and over again. A love  letter that encourages, guides, corrects, instructs, comforts, informs, delights, assures and sustains me.  A love letter that unveils God’s plan for my salvation and eternal life. A love letter from my Heavenly  Father, written especially for His beloved daughter.  

Don’t let the intricate descriptions, lofty explanations, or theological ponderings frighten you or lead you  to believe you need a degree, a title, or some special appointment. God can and will speak to you. He  can and will give you understanding. I promise this love letter will have you drawing hearts on the  border of your homework assignment and will have you singing and smiling in the rain. Read it for  yourself, and I promise your life will never be the same again!

Reflections

    1.  How does II Timothy 3:16-17 speak to you?
    2. What are some beliefs you’ve held about the Bible?
    3. How have these beliefs shaped your approaches to study, understand and live the Bible?
    4. How does the view of the Bible as a love letter from your Heavenly Father to you, His beloved  daughter, resonate with you?
    5. What are your personal LIFE Lessons?
      • Liberation: What new insights have you gained that have freed you from past thoughts  or practices?
      • Inspiration: In what ways have you been spiritually, emotionally or mentally motivated  to live for Christ?
      • Fortification: What additional scriptural texts, passages or stories can reinforce and  strengthen you against the attacks of the enemy?
      • Edification: How might you share your story in order to edify others and bring glory to  God?

Playlist

As you process, digest, and apply what’s been shared, here are a couple of songs from my playlist that  remind me of Who God Is. Listen, Let the music infiltrate your soul. Read the lyrics and let the words  encourage you. And I pray that you’ll be blessed as I was. 

Prayer

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