One Man’s Idea about the Message of the Bible
During my lifetime, I have had some conversations which are difficult to forget. There are some which I would like to forget, but have difficulty in accomplishing that. At other times, there are conversations which I hope I never forget.
There are at least a couple of reasons why a conversation can find its way into that second and much more positive category. The reason could be that the person with whom the conversation took place is one of those unforgettable people in my life. At other times, it was just the fact that something was said which made a major impact on me and/or caused me to do some real thinking.
On some occasions, both of those factors play a role in making a conversation very memorable and important to me. Both the person saying something and what was said had an impact on me that lasts long after the conversation is over (and maybe long after the person is no long alive).
I often think of one of those kinds of conversations that took place a few years ago. The man with whom I was having that conversation was one of the most interesting men I have ever met. He was unique in so many ways. Although he is no longer living, one comment he made still lives in my memory. I have every reason to believe that it will continue to do as long as I have a memory.
My friend and I were talking about the Bible and, during that conversation, he made an observation that, in my mind, is one of the (if not the) best succinct statements about God’s Word that I have ever heard.
“I’ve read the Bible. Its message is that I need a Savior and I’m not Him.”
I thought about suggesting some ramifications and applications implied in that statement, but I decided against that for a couple of reasons. First, I’m afraid that the number of those ramifications and applications is almost endless. I truly believe that it could take volumes to try to explore each way in which that statement is true.
The second reason that I decided to just let his statement “stand for itself” is that I did not want to influence your thinking. I prefer to let you do what I have done. I would like for you to remember that statement and continue to think about it for years to come.
Maybe, like me, you will have difficulty in getting one short statement out of your mind and, at the same time, trying to think of all of the ways it applies to you. Maybe, like me, you need a regular reminder of the fact that…
I need a Savior and I’m not Him.
AUTHOR: Jim Faughn