There Is No Secret at the End of the Book

I get excited about books—too excited sometimes. I am prone to think that the next book I read will change my life. It has a secret that will make all the difference about that certain problem. Sometimes a title will allure me, like "The Divine Conspiracy," or "What Is Faith." Or it might not be a new idea that attracts me, but a new, utterly-convincing presentation. For example, if I only read "The Great Gain of Godliness" I would finally be convinced to live a holy life.

Time and time again I find no secret upon reaching the back cover. Nothing I have read has really effected lasting change. Nothing, that is, in any human books. I have searched among the Americans, English, and Russians, through ancients, classics, and moderns, in the bestsellers, moderate successes, and the obscurities, and after all I have yet to come upon a hidden Truth.

Actually, I have found that the best books assume the least originality. The best books work upon the reader by pointing him to that One Book. The more gospel that can be squeezed into a book, the greater the potential to reach one's heart. And presentation? No presentation of the Truth is more compelling, beautiful, and winsome than the Bible.

This should be very encouraging to anyone who believes the Bible to be the words of God. One doesn't have to search any further to find all the "words of life." There is but one book that is required reading in the School of Christ. No Christian need fear missing some vital point of truth or life if they search for it in His Word. He will supply us with all we need:

"The anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as His anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie--just as it has taught you, abide in him" (1 John 2:27).

"The Word 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" (Psalm 19:7-8).

"For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.... And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption" (1 Corinthians 1:18, 30).