Almost every time an appliance or machine stops functioning optimally in my home, my husband reaches for the manual first, does some troubleshooting himself before calling in the experts.

A manufacturer’s handbook (manual), helps us set up our appliances, identify and handle simple malfunctions of our machines and ensures optimum output and efficiency, giving us good value for our money.

I have had the privilege of welcoming newly born again Christians into God’s family and I do not fail to introduce them to the Christian Manual for a successful and victorious christian living-The Bible.

You may want to consider the Bible as The Manufacturer’s Manual/Handbook for man’s living assuming that you believe in the existence of a Man-Creator or Manufacturer. If you are more inclined towards evolution or some other theory about man’s creation, then am sure you’ve found a different handbook and the discourse here may not apply to you.

So, why did God give us the Bible (His commandments/words)?

The 10 commandments came into existence to guide and direct Israel’s actions which were becoming intolerable for Jehovah at the time.

In his second letter to Timothy, apostle Paul explains the purpose of every word of God;

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness“.  2 Timothy 3:16. NKJV.

If it is not already obvious, this write-up is borne out of my curiosity on why people are often reluctant to study their Bibles.

I asked a few persons about their opinion on this and got the following responses;

i. ‘there is no time’. too many things to do with so little available time’

ii. ‘probably, people are not clear or do not completely agree with what the Bible says in some cases’

iii. ‘the bible does not give a unified straightforward stand on some issues, and people whip up different dimensions of the bible to support their own perspective on issues.

Hmmm….

Interestingly, nobody really considered or conceded to a likelihood of people thinking the standards in the Bible are too high!

I recently learnt that people generally don’t want to be told what to do. So if the Bible is for reproof, correction, instruction etc, my guess is; people love the freedom of living their lives freestyle!

But are God’s words punitive, prohibitive or protective?  I think it’s all 3,  with an ultimate aim to protect. I believe that God considered every possible action of man in its entirety (positive and negative outcomes), before giving out His words to guide and direct man aright.

For example, when God says ‘Do not commit adultery’, I believe this instruction goes well beyond the physical attraction and sexual satisfaction one derives through his indulgence in adultery. The end result of a singular adulterous act can mean an end to a longstanding marriage relationship, disruption in the equilibrium existing in a home, or exposure to life threatening sexually transmitted diseases (condoms tear!), and so many other unsavory results.

But you know, God does not force man to do anything. He always leaves the final decision with man but admonishes him to choose life and live.  I can tell my young preteen not to spend all his time on games and TVs, because as a parent, I have the foresight of the crucial role hard work can play in determining life’s experiences. And I want the best for my child! I believe God deals with man in a similar way. But then, there is a limit to how much or how long I can control my preteen’s choices. His future experiences rests greatly on his present day choices.

Let us not be like the middle-aged highly educated diabetic man who refused to go to the hospital for professional medical care for fear of what results of hospital investigations on him would reveal. He’d rather die in his ignorance. He immediately reminds me of why the fool has deceived himself into thinking there is no God…because he is corrupt and have done abominable things! (Psalm 53:1). He is threatened by the Bible.

When an appliance or machine malfunctions, it is very unlikely that the problem is with the manual (selah).

“He is in the way of life that heedeth correction, but he that forsaketh reproof erreth” Proverbs 10:17. ASV

Have a lovely day!