A plumb line is a simple tool used in construction to determine the vertical alignment of a structure. It consists of a weight, often a pointed metal or brass object, suspended from the end of a string or line. When the plumb line hangs freely, it aligns itself with the force of gravity, pointing directly towards the center of the Earth. This makes it a reliable tool for finding the true vertical line.
God has given us a plumb line for building our lives — the Bible. The Bible is a collection of 66 books written by an estimated 40 different authors. These books are bound together in a single volume. (Some Christian traditions include 14 or more additional books referred to as the Apocrypha.) Considerable work has been and continues to be put into ensuring that this book is maintained with the highest fidelity possible to the original ancient writings.
Of this plumb line, the Apostle Paul writes:
“Every scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,”
2 Timothy 3:16 NET
We could take this blog in various directions. We could discuss how the Bible was constructed and is maintained today. We could delve into textual science, demonstrating the reliability of manuscripts and the minimal variation among them. We could explore how every translation of these original texts loses some of the original meaning, emphasizing the importance of learning the original languages and cultures. We might even discuss the fact that when Paul wrote this, the New Testament didn’t exist yet, so he was referring to the Old Testament, and all his letters were commentaries on the Old Testament. While these are interesting academic exercises, justice cannot be done to them in a blog. Therefore, the most practical and actionable direction for this blog is to explore the importance of knowing the Bible.
If one reads the context in which Paul writes this verse, he is addressing doctrinal errors creeping into the Church and the importance of Church leadership correcting those errors. In fact, one of Paul’s most pointed statements in the letter is:
“For there will be a time when people will not tolerate sound teaching. Instead, following their own desires, they will accumulate teachers for themselves, because they have an insatiable curiosity to hear new things.”
2 Timothy 4:3 NET
When we are surrounded by error, we need a way to calibrate ourselves to the truth. That is the plumb line of the Bible. Of course, like a mechanical plumb line, you have to use it right to get an accurate measurement. You have to spend time with the tool learning how to use it. If you have ever worked with a plumb line, you know that there are ways it can be mishandled and will give an inaccurate measurement. The same is true with the Bible. We have to spend lots of time in it to learn how to use it. In fact, the Bible goes so far as to say in 1 Corinthians 2:14 that unless a person has committed their life to Jesus and has the Holy Spirit, they can’t even understand the deeper things of the Bible. Trying to get beyond the basics of the Bible without the Holy Spirit is not going to result in an accurate plumb measurement.
God has a lot to say to you and me. Many people went through some incredibly difficult things to record that for us and put it together. God’s son Jesus died and was resurrected so you and I could receive forgiveness, be reconciled to God, and receive the Holy Spirit that we could understand God’s words deeply. Spending time in the Bible is worth every moment we put into it. In a world that can’t seem to give us a true vertical line, we desperately need God’s plumb line to set us true. Don’t build your life without it.
Measure twice, cut once.
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