I am amazed at how well the 66 books of the Bible fit together. God used many authors from many different backgrounds and produced a magnificent book that has endured through time and attack. Let me give an example by taking a look at one verse of scripture.
Habakkuk 2:4 (NKJV) But the just shall live by his faith.
This is possibly the most remarkable verse in all of Scripture. It profoundly impacted Martin Luther. It is repeated three times in the New Testament.
- The Book of Romans is an extra-ordinary book. It develops the principle of justification. We are justified in Christ Jesus. After we are saved, it is just – as – if – I – had never sinned. That is what justified means. We are ‘the just’. The writer of Romans wrote the book to explain the phrase ‘the just’. Romans 1:17 says, “The just shall live by faith.”
- The book of Galatians is a fascinating book. It was written to combat the legalism that was growing in the church. It has been correctly written that the journey of a believer looks like a pendulum. We swing one direction into legalism and then we over react and swing the opposite direction into license. Both positions are wrong. God wants us living in liberty in Christ. The writer of Galations wrote the book to explain the phrase ‘shall live’. Galatians 3:11 says, “The just shall live by faith.”
- The book of Hebrews is an inspiring book. It was written to demonstrate the faith walk. It contains the Hall of Fame of Faith in Hebrews 11. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith and verse 6 gives us our goal in life…verse 6 says, “Without faith, it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” The writer of Hebrews wrote the book to explain the phrase ‘by faith’. Hebrews 10:38 says, “The just shall live by faith.”
It is awesome the way this fits together. One inspiration, one mind, one message…many different authors writing under the inspiration of God…produced a masterpiece called the Bible.