From the DAWGHouse…
We Are People of the Book
From the very beginning, God has chosen to reveal Himself through His Word. Not through chance or mystery, but through something written, something that can be read, pondered, memorized, and passed on. As Christians, we are often called “people of the Book”—not because we idolize a book, but because the Bible is the living and active Word of the God we worship (Hebrews 4:12). It is through Scripture that we come to know the character of God, the truth of the gospel, and the way we are called to live.
As Pastor Pete emphasized in his recent Forge message, Jesus Himself affirmed the authority of Scripture. He quoted it often, relied on it in His earthly ministry, and fulfilled it perfectly. When tempted in the wilderness, He responded not with emotion or human reasoning, but with, “It is written…” (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10). When He taught the crowds or confronted the Pharisees, He consistently referred them back to the Scriptures. Jesus didn’t just know the Word—He was the Word made flesh (John 1:14). To follow Him, we must be people shaped by what He has revealed.
To be “People of the Book” means we are anchored…
In a world shifting with every cultural wind, we have an unchanging foundation. Isaiah 40:8 says, “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.” We don’t follow opinions, trends, or passing philosophies. We follow God’s eternal truth. His Word is not outdated; it is timeless. It is the lens through which we view all of life.
Being people of the Book also means we are guided…
Psalm 119:105 declares, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” The Bible doesn’t just inform us; it transforms us. It doesn’t just give advice; it gives life. As 2 Timothy 3:16–17 teaches, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness…” God’s Word shapes our minds, molds our hearts, and equips us to walk faithfully with Him.
But being people of the Book requires more than owning a Bible…
It requires loving it, knowing it, and submitting to it. James 1:22 warns, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” The Bible isn’t just a reference book—it’s our daily bread. It’s not a backup plan for hard times—it is the primary voice we listen to. It’s not merely to be quoted; it’s to be obeyed.
Ultimately, we are people of the Book because the Book points us to Jesus. From Genesis to Revelation, the Scriptures tell one grand story of redemption, with Christ at the center. As Jesus said in John 5:39, “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me.”
In a noisy, distracted world, may we be known as people who treasure God’s Word, live by its truth, and boldly proclaim it to others.
We are people of the Book—because we are people of the Lord.
Joe Bouch
