Do We Have All That God Wants Us To Have?
Spiritual Questions with Scriptural Answers.
Over the years, the idea that “something is missing” has been circulated throughout the religious world. It is as if some have questioned whether or not God has really revealed everything to us that we need to know.
The Bible teaches that God has not left us in the dark or left out any eternally-altering information.
In this article, we want to examine several passages of Scripture that confirm that the Bible is our all-sufficient guide and that we are not waiting on “further revelation” from God.
Deuteronomy 29:29
First, consider Deuteronomy 29:29:
“The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.”
There are things that God, in His perfect and infinite wisdom, has decided to “keep.” Those things are not for us to know.
On the other hand, according to this passage, the things which have been revealed “belong to us.” In other words, what God has revealed to us through His Word is for us to read, study, investigate, believe, and obey by faith.
The Holy Spirit of God inspired men who wrote exactly what God would have them write (2 Sam. 23:2; Jer. 1:9; John 16:13; 1 Cor. 2:9-13; 2 Pet. 1:19-21). If it has been revealed, we can know it (John 8:32; Eph. 3:4; 5:17).
2 Peter 1:3
Second, consider 2nd Peter 1:3:
“as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue.”
According to God’s divine power (as well as His grace, mercy, and love) He has given to us ALL things that pertain to life and godliness (or “God-likeness). Notice that He has not given us “all things,” but specifically, all things that pertain to life and godliness.
The word “pertain” means to “belong as an attribute, feature, or function” such as it is used in the introduction of the Book of Acts:
“to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God” (Acts 1:3).
If it has to do with this life and the next, the Bible gives us the information we need to know so we can live for God here in this life and ultimately spend eternity with Him (Eccl. 12:13-14).
2 Timothy 3:16-17
Third, consider 2nd 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, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
The word “inspiration” comes from the Greek word “Theopnuestos” which literally means “God-breathed.” All Scripture is breathed out by God, yes the same breath that “breathed into man’s nostrils the breath of life” (Get. 2:7) and created the universe (Psa. 33:6,9). All Scripture is God-breathed and all Scripture is profitable for us.
Note the words “doctrine” (what is right), “reproof” (how to stay right), correction (how to get right), and for instruction in righteousness (how to live right). The purpose is so that the man of God may be “complete” and “thoroughly” (fully) equipped” for every good work.
Since the Word of God is perfect and can make us complete, why would we go to any other source? Why have creed books? Why have manuals? Why have disciplines? Why entertain the “doctrines of men?”
The Bible is flawless!
Jude 3
Fourth and finally, consider Jude 3:
“Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.”
This classic text teaches us that in the first century, all truth had been delivered. It was delivered “once for all” meaning once and for all time! We have all truth so we can stand firm in “the faith” (the Gospel system; Rom. 1:5; 16:26; Phil. 1:27)!
These passages clearly teach us that we have all things that we need in order to be pleasing to God and be heaven bound.
It is up to us to take the information given (John 6:44-45), study it for ourselves (2 Tim. 2:15), and obey God by faith (Rom. 10:17).
Thanks be to God for His Word that gives us all that we need!
Drew Suttles is a minister for the Quitman church of Christ in Quitman, Georgia, and one of my best friends in this world. They live-stream all their Bible classes and sermons on their YouTube channel.
Drew also hosts the “Weathering the Storm” podcast on the Scattered Abroad Network. Drew talks about facing life’s challenges as a child of God. His podcast will be a blessing to your life.
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Thanks Drew! Great article.
Thank you for this! It makes me think about how scientific "discoveries" have also been viewed as God unveiling the laws of nature to us so we may find glory in Him and His works as well as expand His kingdom further.