Not long ago I was asked this question: “Is the Bible
a ‘how to get saved manual’ or the history of God
redeeming a people for himself?”
The Bible, consisting of 66 books spanning two
covenants, is rich not only for its historical value, but
is also a priceless compilation of prophecy, poetry,
scientific foreknowledge, exhortation, admonition,
etc. – and yes, it even reveals God’s law. Both
covenants are based on law, the Old Testament on
the Law of Moses, and the New Testament on the
Law of Christ (Gal. 6:2; cf. Jas. 4:12). Jesus Himself
said, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’
shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who
DOES the will of My Father in heaven” (Matt. 7:21).
You see, regardless of what other benefit we may
gain from the Scriptures, unless we obey the
commands of Christ we cannot be saved (Rom. 1:16;
Jas. 1:21; 1 Cor. 15:1-2; cf. Acts 11:14) – for the
gospel tells us what we must DO in order to be saved
(Acts 2:38; Mk. 16:16; etc).
In the end the Lord will “in flaming fire taking
vengeance on those who do not know God, and on
those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus
Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting
destruction from the presence of the Lord and from
the glory of His power” (2 Thess. 1:8-9).