Up to this point in our series, we have discussed who God is and why He deserves our respect. We then linked with that the respect we should have for His word. We also have evidenced the purpose for which God made us. As we inch closer and close to our objective of stressing Biblical authority, we must examine the purpose for God's word. That's the focus of this article.

If we respect God like we say we do, and if we respect His word like we claim, and if we accept our purpose for which He made us, then it stands to reason we'll also accept the purpose for His word in daily living. Whenever we choose to communicate something to someone else, our words have a purpose. Additionally, we deem it insulting when others cast our words aside as if they were meaningless...especially if we are in a position of authority over them. What makes us think God is not equally offended...yea more so (cp. Lk. 6:46)?

God's words mean something. Try as much as we would like, we cannot diminish them nor their effectiveness. His words will always succeed in the purpose for which they are sent (cp. Isa. 55:10-11). His inspired word to man is "living and powerful...sharper than any two-edged sword.." (Heb. 4:12). His words will abide forever (1 Pet. 1:25), and have His breath all over them (2 Tim. 3:16). The Son of God Himself claimed His words to be "life" and one of His chosen apostles affirmed this to be true (Jn. 6:63, 68).

So, what are some purposes for the word of God? It gives hope in a world fraught with despair (Rom. 15:4). It brings comfort to us (1 Thess. 4:18). It instructs us (Eph. 3:3-5). It leads us toward God (Gal. 3:24; 2 Thess. 2:14). It promotes godly living in a world that has sold itself over to ungodliness (1 Tim. 6:3-5). It corrects us when we have failed our purpose before Him (2 Tim. 3:16; 4:2). It prepares us for whatever work God has planned for us (2 Tim. 3:17).

His word is purpose-driven. And that purpose is us and how we live before this great God.