Is the Bible enough? Do you need something else besides the Bible to live your life here and beyond? Are you missing something?
“The sufficiency of Scripture” is the principle (or doctrine) that all 66 books of the Bible are enough to equip a person for everything needed in faith and life. The message of the Bible is sure: God created everything good, but man’s sin led to curse, brokenness, alienation from God, and his need for salvation. God’s remedy for man’s sickness is clear; He fixes creation and restores the broken relationship between Him and man through Jesus Christ, His Son, the Lord and Savior. And, Jesus’ work of redemption and salvation will be complete in a future time to come of glory. The Scriptures are sufficient, and you don’t need any other books to understand these facts.
Paul wrote to Timothy (2 Timothy 3:15-17), “You have been acquainted with the sacred writings since childhood, and they are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” The Scriptures are the only words “breathed out by God,” without error, and they are all you need to know how to be saved and how to live your life serving God. You have all you need in the Bible you own and read.
Now, the Bible won’t tell you what car to buy or what job to have, or where to go to school or who to marry. The Bible can’t teach you how to fly an airplane or balance your checkbook; you’re going to need some other books or information to do those tasks. But the sufficiency of Scripture means you don’t need any additional books or “special revelation” from God for the important and eternal matters at hand, the issues that involve your soul, your relationship with Him, and your eternal destiny. All that information is evident.
David said this about the Scriptures in Psalm 19: “The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.” God’s Word is completely sufficient and wonderful, and all you need to know and live with Him.