Lesson No. 4

Lesson No. 4 Some of Its Purposes

Outline: Evidently, the general purpose of the Holy Bible is to acquaint us with God as such, including details that comprise the characteristics of His own nature. God manifested through the three divine persons: God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These teachings also deal with His relationships and purposes with humans revealed through their history, among which is the plan of salvation. These details can be appreciated throughout the content of this entire treatise. But in this case, we will focus our attention on considering three complementary aspects within the purposes of the Holy Bible. They are as follows: instructing man for every good work, enlightening the mind darkened by sin, and teaching us to make practical use of prayer.

Instructing Man for Every Good Work

Concerning this purpose of the Holy Scriptures, let's consider the following passage:

Second Timothy chapter 3: verses 16 and 17: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works”.51

Experience is the proof that provides the greatest evidence of the accuracy and truthfulness of these words from the apostle Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit.

It is undeniable that among the different human societies there are people who, whether by their own intuition or by the education they have received, harbor very noble feelings and conduct themselves in a way that makes them admirable and worthy of being emulated.

However, the instructions of the Holy Bible, enriched with a wealth of teachings related to morality and social conduct, as we have already noted, further supported by the wonderful effects of Christian faith, produce such transformation in the human heart that it leads one to be perfect, thoroughly equipped for every good work. The influence of the Holy Spirit in its sacred writings generates in the heart of man a profound inclination towards practicing obedience to its divine teachings, converting them into a social being of high human quality.

It is true that not all individuals can fully absorb these recommendations provided by the Holy Scriptures, but how many individuals with bad behavior and corrupt feelings have been favored by these immaculate instructions! We know individuals who have been criminals, thieves, addicts, and possess the vilest moral conditions; who, upon receiving the multiple instructions of the Holy Scriptures, have changed their way of acting and living, in such a wonderful way that they have transformed into new creatures, desirable people and useful to God and society. For the biblical teachings help humans to distance themselves from vice, sin, homicide crime, theft, adultery, fraud, treachery, deceit, lying, and other moral depravities that have plagued humanity throughout its history. Some of these individuals after reaching the highest degree of frustration and pain have been surprised by the biblical message right when they were on the verge of suicide. But the change provided by the sacred instructions in their way of thinking and seeing life has made them desist from their unfortunate idea, to start being happy and include in their hearts the love, faith, and hope of eternal life.

Enlightening The Mind Darkened By Sin

Regarding this concept, we will consider the following biblical passages:

Psalm 119: verse 105: “...Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path”.51

Psalm 119: verse 130: “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple”.51

Thorough theological analyses conclude that after his moral downfall, man suffered some degree of consciousness darkening that does not allow him to make clear or effective distinctions between many aspects of good and evil. This moral downfall I refer to is related to original sin that caused in man the loss of the image of God with which he was created in holiness, concepts vividly reflected in the reference topic.

This darkening of consciousness according to the Holy Scriptures has been inherited by all humankind. This is why man sometimes takes paths leading to evil or fatal disaster, and in many cases, they seem straight paths. In this regard, consider the following biblical citations:

Proverbs chapter 14: verse 12: “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death”.51

Proverbs chapter 16: verse 25: “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death”.51

Despite this critical human situation, God has provided salvation: His own written word under the inspiration of His Holy Spirit is like a lamp or torch, illuminating that darkened consciousness and allowing it to see with perfect clarity the true path leading to eternal happiness.