The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eyes. (Psalm 19:8, NASB)
Now, the word “commandment” is another way to look at Scripture. Yes, Scripture is precepts; yes, it’s instruction; yes, it’s testimony, but it is also divine decrees. And here we find the emphasis on authority, on the non-optional character of Scripture. The Bible is not full of a lot of suggestions. It is binding authoritative commandments. This is what God requires. And for those who respond, there is blessing. For those who do not, there is judgment.
And the Word of God, which comes to us as commandment from God, he says, “is clear.” That is to say it’s lucid. It’s not mystifying. It’s not confusing and puzzling. Yes, there are obscure elements of it, but the Word of God, in general, is clear. It’s easy to see. It gives clear direction for life. The Old Testament says a wayfaring man, though he be a fool, need not err. It enlightens the darkness; when you can’t understand what’s going on and you don’t know why things are happening the way they are, the Word of God makes things clear, in contrast to the muddled musings of men who themselves are blind.
The Word enables us to see truth in this dark world, to understand what is right and wrong, to be comforted in times when we can’t comprehend what’s happening, times like Job endured. The Word is all the revelation we need. It is clear, easy to understand. It leaves no doubt as to necessary truth. Proverbs 6:23 says, “For the commandment is a lamp and the law is light; and reproofs for discipline are the way of life.”
And so we would ask the question, is the Bible so insufficient that we have to depend on worldly wisdom? Do we have to go to men to explain what’s happening? Do we need further revelation? Do we need psychoanalysis for spiritual problems from sources that long have rejected Scripture as even a source of truth? Is the Bible so incomplete that we have to turn to science to explain origin, philosophy to explain life, and sociology to explain sin? No, all the light of life is in the Word of God.
And, again, I draw you to Psalm 119. Notice verse 52: “I have remembered Your judgments from of old, O Yahweh, and comfort myself.” In the midst of distress, I went back to the Word and I was comforted. And verse 59: “I thought upon my ways and I turned my feet to Your testimonies.” I looked at the way I was going and got back in line with You.
In verses 81-83 we find an equally powerful testimony to the clarity of Scripture as it lightens the way:
My soul fails with longing for Your salvation;
I wait for Your word.
My eyes fail with longing for Your word,
Saying, “When will You comfort me?”
For I am like a wineskin in the smoke,
but I do not forget Your statutes.
When you can’t see and everything is covered with smoke, as it were, you look to the Word.
The Word is sufficient to give me the information I need. It lightens the dark way. It gives me understanding. Yes, the Scripture is sufficient for salvation, for skill in living, for joy and satisfaction, and for clear understanding of things not easily understood.
This post is based on a sermon Dr. MacArthur preached in 1986, titled “The Sufficiency of Scripture, Part 2.” In addition to serving as the pastor of Grace Community Church and the voice of Grace to You, Dr. MacArthur is the chancellor of The Master’s University in Santa Clarita, Calif. You can learn more about TMU at masters.edu.
