The unity of the books of the Bible is astounding when you realize the diversity within which it is united. It contains 66 different books written by several writers who lived in three different continents over a span of 1500 years. Most of them were not contemporaries and did not know each other. They were from different linguistic, economic, political, vocational and cultural backgrounds. There were kings, statesmen, prophets, scholars, army commanders, physicians, tax collectors, shepherds, fishermen, young and old, rich and poor. Their writings varied from historical narrative to book of law, poetic literature to prophetic proclamation. But in the midst of all these they all conveyed the same message, carried the same theme and centred on God’s plan of salvation for the humankind.

The Bible has been recognized as the best seller of all times. Millions of copies are distributed each year around the world in hundreds of languages. The Bible is the most translated, most circulated, most cherished and the most used book in all of history. By the end of 2010 at least some portion of the Bible was available in 2527 languages of the world through the Bible Societies. The complete Bible was available in 469 languages and the New Testament in an additional 1231 languages. The Bible Society of India alone distributed over 22million copies of various Scripture products of which 2,285,488 were complete Bibles.

The Bible is the book that has withstood the test of time. Kings and rulers have tried to destroy it, Governments and authorities have tried to ban it, skeptics and atheists have tried to attack it, enemies and infidels have tried to burn it, but the Bible lives on. There is no other book in history that has survived such onslaught. It continues to survive and affect the lives of people all over the world because it is the indestructible Word of God. Jesus said, heaven and earth shall pass away but the Word of the Lord will remain forever.

The millions and millions of transformed lives bear witness to the power of the Word of God the Bible. No other book has affected billions of people on earth all through generations in human history. It is still convicting people of their sins, challenging them to mend their ways, empowering them to resist temptations, motivating them to love and not hate, guiding them in their daily walk. Ask anyone who has tasted the power of the Word of God they will tell you what it means to them and how it has affected their lives. It has the power to transform human lives and there are millions of witnesses around us to prove this. The Bible says about itself: For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

This is not to be argued but to be tried and experienced.

Shout that people are like the grass. Their beauty fades as quickly as the flowers in a field. The grass withers and the flowers fade beneath the breath of the Lord. And so it is with people. The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever. (Isa.40:7-8)