Our Trustworthy Guide

Finding our way in a sin-sick world can be a challenge. Who can we follow to live a life that pleases God? Who can we trust never to let us down? There is no human leader—no pastor, no Bible teacher, no preacher—that we can trust completely. All people are fallible; all Christians struggle with minds and hearts impacted by the fall. The only reliable source for Truth, the only guide worthy of our trust, is the Word of God.

The Corinthians were following leaders: “One of you says, ‘I follow Paul’; another, ‘I follow Apollos’; another, ‘I follow Cephas’; . . .” (1 Corinthians 1:12). These were godly leaders—apostles even—but the Corinthians were divided against one another rather than united under the authority of the Word of God. Here is a litmus test for determining who you are following. If you say, “My pastor says . . .” you are following a leader. But if you say, “The Word of God says . . .” you are trusting in the perfect source of Truth.

Paul knew there was a lot of spiritual sickness among the Corinthians, but he chose to deal with this issue first—the issue of cult of personality. Cults seek converts to their cult leader instead of converts to Christ, and Paul wanted to make it clear that there is one Savior, one Way, one Truth: Jesus Christ. Paul didn’t die on the cross for our sins. The one God-man Jesus Christ laid His life down as a perfect sacrifice. If we would follow Him, we must feast on His infallible Word.

A church that believes in the authority and inerrancy of the Bible is a church where there is no division. Why? Because God is not confused and does not contradict Himself. Placing ourselves under the authority of the Word of God produces both humility and unity—and it is the first step toward holiness in a desperately sick world.

Prayer: Lord, help me to put my trust and hope in Your Word. May I honor it by feasting on it—reading and studying with eagerness. I know it leads me perfectly in Truth. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.