The Bible is more than just a historical text or a compilation of religious teachings. It is a unified narrative through many smaller books in which God reveals His character, His purposes, and His plan for creation. From the opening chapters of Genesis to the final visions of Revelation, the Bible tells a story that moves from creation, to salvation, to the establishment of God’s eternal kingdom, and ultimately to the renewal of all things. But what is the overarching purpose of the Bible? In this article, we explore how the Bible serves as God’s communication to humanity and what it calls us to do in response.
The Bible as Revelation of God
At its core, the Bible exists to reveal God to us. It is not simply a book of rules or moral lessons but a record of God’s interaction with the world He created. The Bible introduces us to a God who is both transcendent and personal, who is involved in human history and who desires a relationship with His people.
From the very beginning, the Bible tells us that God is the Creator of the universe. He made everything, including humanity, in His image (Genesis 1:26-27). However the relationship between God and humanity was broken through sin, and the Bible is the story of how God worked throughout history to bring restoration and reconciliation.
God’s promises, such as those made to Abraham and King David, demonstrate His intention to establish His kingdom on earth while working through man’s free choice/will. He continually reveals Himself as a God who keeps His word and who desires His people to turn to Him in faithfulness. As the story of the Bible unfolds, we see that God is not distant but is actively involved in human affairs, guiding, correcting, and ultimately redeeming His creation.
The Purpose of Scripture: To Point to Jesus
While the Bible contains many different books and writings, its primary purpose is to point us to Jesus Christ. Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promises and the key to understanding the Bible’s message. In the Old Testament, the promises of God are made through covenants with people like Abraham and David, pointing forward to the coming of a Savior. When we get to the New Testament, we see how Jesus fulfills those promises. He is the promised Messiah, the descendant of David, who brings God’s kingdom to earth.
In His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus provides salvation for humanity and reveals the true nature of God. As the Apostle John writes, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory” (John 1:14). Jesus embodies God’s love and grace, showing us who God is and what He desires for us. Through Jesus, the Bible’s purpose comes into focus: God desires a relationship with humanity, and through Christ, that relationship can be restored.
The Bible Guides Us in Our Relationship with God
Another key purpose of the Bible is to teach us how to relate to God. While the Bible is not a manual for every aspect of life, it provides a clear framework for understanding how we should live in light of who God is. It calls us to faith, obedience, and love.
Psalm 119, the longest chapter in the Bible, reflects on how God’s word provides guidance and instruction. It says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). This highlights the Bible’s role in leading us to walk in alignment with God’s will. Through Scripture, God reveals His expectations for how we are to live, not just in religious practice but in every aspect of our lives—our relationships, our work, our treatment of others, and our stewardship of creation.
The Bible also speaks to our deepest needs and questions. It addresses our struggles with sin, our search for meaning, and our desire for hope and redemption. It offers comfort in times of trouble, wisdom in times of confusion, and strength in times of weakness. As 2 Timothy 3:16-17 states, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
The Bible Calls for Our Faithful Allegiance
At its heart, the Bible calls us to respond to God’s revelation with faithful allegiance. God does not simply want us to know about Him; He desires our wholehearted commitment. The Bible invites us to trust in God’s promises, to follow His commands, and to live in relationship with Him.
This call to allegiance is seen most clearly in the teachings of Jesus. In His ministry, Jesus repeatedly called people to repent—to turn away from their own ways and align themselves with God’s kingdom. As He declared in Matthew 4:17, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Jesus’ message was not just about personal morality but about submitting to God’s reign over all aspects of life.
Faithful allegiance means placing our trust in Jesus as King and following Him in everything we do. It means allowing God’s Word to shape our values, our priorities, and our actions. And it means living in the hope of the new creation, where God’s kingdom will be fully realized and all things will be made new.
The Bible Points to the New Creation
The final purpose of the Bible is to give us a vision of God’s ultimate plan for creation. The Bible begins with the creation of the world in Genesis and ends with the promise of a new creation in Revelation. In between, it tells the story of how God is working to redeem and restore everything that has been broken by sin.
The book of Revelation presents a powerful image of God’s future kingdom, where there will be no more death, mourning, crying, or pain (Revelation 21:4). This new creation is the culmination of God’s redemptive work, and it is what all of history is moving toward.
For believers, the hope of the new creation shapes how we live now. We are called to live as citizens of God’s kingdom, participating in His work of restoration and reflecting His love, justice, and mercy in our daily lives. The Bible reminds us that our story is part of a larger story—God’s story of redemption and renewal—and that our ultimate hope is in Him.
Conclusion
The purpose of the Bible is clear: to reveal God to us, to point us to Jesus, to guide us in our relationship with God, to call us to faithful allegiance, and to give us hope in the new creation. As we read and study Scripture, we are invited into a deeper understanding of who God is and what He desires for us. The Bible is not just a book of ancient history or moral teachings—it is God’s living Word, meant to transform us and lead us into a life of faith, love, and hope.
In a world that is often confusing and uncertain, the Bible provides a sure foundation. It reminds us of God’s faithfulness, points us to Jesus as our Savior, and invites us to live in the light of God’s kingdom. Ultimately, the Bible calls us to respond to God’s revelation with faithful allegiance, trusting in His promises and living in hope of the new creation that is to come.
