The Most Important Book

A news item in Sydney reported in September 2009 that police officers in New South Wales are to receive their own specially designed Bible - offering spiritual guidance to a force with an unhappy history of misconduct and corruption. The new Bible, compact enough to be carried on the job, contains the Old and New Testaments, the police prayer and readings on ethics, service, integrity, leadership, grief, sin and forgiveness. Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione said: "I believe the police Bible will impact on generations of police officers to come."

I work in the Auckland High Court and at times, I carry out the job of a court taker whose primary task in to assist the judge in managing the proceedings inside the courtroom. I have observed that each courtroom has a Bible in the witness stand, while in the bigger courtrooms Bibles are a-plenty where the members of the jury sit. To ascertain that the truth prevails, witnesses swear by the Bible, while jurors commit by the Bible to render judgment fairly.

The world today is bound by so many treaties, laws and ordinances all meant to make society more humane and peaceful. Despite all these, there is so much violence, hatred and suffering. John Wycliffe once wrote: “The Gospel alone is sufficient to rule the lives of Christians everywhere...any additional rules made to govern men’s conduct added nothing to the perfection already found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” We must realise that the Bible contains the sacred words of God who speaks to all His people. He even sent His Only Son to bring His message of salvation. “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realise what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.” (2 Timothy 3:16)

The Bible is the most important book for every human being, not just for cops, witnesses or jurors. It openly tells on how to live a meaningful life and where we are destined thereafter.  “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” (Psalm 119:105) The Bible is specially designed for you by God to lead you towards the pearly Gates of Heaven.

by Mel Libre