The word sacred is applied to the Bible because it is regarded with reverence by Christians as the Word of God. The Bible claims to be the Word of God, “...and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.”

The sacred nature of the Bible also requires protection from malice.  Rather than protect it under “lock and key,” however, God’s Word is open to inspection by anyone.  Its open access has been its greatest protection. Open access has allowed it to be copied, translated, and transported around the world.  Anyone can simply pick up a version or translation of the Bible and inspect it for additions or subtractions, and sometimes - falsifications. 

While the Bible is attributed to God, it is dedicated to people.  It is dedicated to people because it contains the Word of God which promises life to all. Yes, ALL. It is not exclusive, yet it contains an exclusive promise.  The promise is that whoever believes in Christ will have everlasting life. “For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life.  For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him.” God’s promise has never changed, “This is what the Lord says - your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: ‘I am the Lord our God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your righteousness like the waves of the sea.”

The Bible records God’s concern for man from the beginning, “But the Lord God called to the man, ‘Where are you?’”

God continues to call out to the man (which is actually you), “Where are you?” He asks, of course, knowing full well where you are, but so that you can answer and reflect upon where you are. You can accept the promised life.

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