What Is the Bible About?

Many Christians use the Bible as a fix-it manual to fix things in their lives or in the lives of others. People who use this approach are given to proof-texting. I have read the Bible through numerous times, and have not found support for this approach. It is legalistic and self-centered. We couldn't fix anything before we were saved (works), and we can't fix anything afterward. We think that if we plug in the right spiritual (Biblical) formula, the right results will come out. This is a form of legalism. It likens the Word of God to a piece of machinery and makes the Christian life simplistic and mechanical. God isn't required to fix things for us. To think so is a very self-centered expectation. The Christian life isn't about us. And it isn't about fixing anything (works). It is about trusting God and having a relationship with Him. It is about God fulfilling His purposes in and through us. And He will "break" things, if necessary, in order to fulfill His purposes for us, and through us, to fulfill His purposes for the world. Many believers aren't taught that when they trusted in Jesus for their salvation, they became HIS soldiers for HIM to use in HIS enterprises, at a price HE sets. And our physical survival is not guaranteed. The Bible, then, is about having a relationship with the suffering God, through Jesus Christ, Who suffers with us through all the vicissitudes of life. We focus on that relationship, and as we do, He shines His light on the areas He wants us to work on, and works with us, sanctifying us and empowering us to become more like Him, and to serve Him as suffering solders.