We all know what 2 Timothy 3:16 says:
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
The question is what does it mean?
My husband is a pastor and very passionate about the sufficiency of Scripture. He gets frustrated because through the years he’s seen people try everything from getting charged from singing great praise songs to making sure their kids are in super youth programs to try to bring their spiritual lives to new heights. But according to 2 Tim 3:16, God’s Word is all we need. God could have chosen to reveal Himself to us through osmosis or by zapping, but He chose to communicate to us through the written Word. Of course, we know the Bible is not just a book, but that it’s the very words of God, breathed into men chosen and guided by Him to write His Word. Isn’t it amazing that we can know God, the creator and sustainer of the universe, the One whose name is “I Am”, the One who always was, is, and will be, the very One who grants us each breath and knows when we’ll take our last, the One who knows our thoughts and words altogether, the One who is both our Judge and Deliverer? In light of this, doesn’t it seem ridiculous that we don’t devote the better part of our lives to studying His Word?
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
The question is what does it mean?
My husband is a pastor and very passionate about the sufficiency of Scripture. He gets frustrated because through the years he’s seen people try everything from getting charged from singing great praise songs to making sure their kids are in super youth programs to try to bring their spiritual lives to new heights. But according to 2 Tim 3:16, God’s Word is all we need. God could have chosen to reveal Himself to us through osmosis or by zapping, but He chose to communicate to us through the written Word. Of course, we know the Bible is not just a book, but that it’s the very words of God, breathed into men chosen and guided by Him to write His Word. Isn’t it amazing that we can know God, the creator and sustainer of the universe, the One whose name is “I Am”, the One who always was, is, and will be, the very One who grants us each breath and knows when we’ll take our last, the One who knows our thoughts and words altogether, the One who is both our Judge and Deliverer? In light of this, doesn’t it seem ridiculous that we don’t devote the better part of our lives to studying His Word?
How can a Christian not be passionate about the Bible? How can we really think that the world has the solution to our problems? Why do we keep trying to reinvent the church to be more attractive to the world, when we belong to God, bought and purchased through the blood of His Son? Why do we need programs and gimmicks, video arcades and bowling alleys in our churches? Why don’t we believe that God’s Word is enough?
According to 2 Tim 3:16, our knowledge of God, our ability to obey Him, and our service to others all hang on our commitment to studying the Bible. There is no short-cut. There is no buy-out option. None of us will progress in our spiritual lives apart from the discipline of Bible study.
God sanctifies us through the cooperative work of His Spirit and His Word. How can the Holy Spirit convict us if we have no knowledge of God's law? How can the Holy Spirit illuminate God's Word to us if we're not in it? How can the Holy Spirit comfort us apart from the hope contained in the pages of Scripture? And so it goes... there is no other life for the Christian, no B team, no second string. God promises to make His chosen people holy, and to do that He uses His Word.
Dear I am Blessed: AMEN AMEN AMEN The Bible is the Word of the Living God. YES YES YES. Thank you for your faithfulness in holding to the sufficiency of scripture. Keep on reminding us.
ReplyDeleteI always like to be reminded that the Word is all we need, so thanks for the reminder. Sometimes it just seems easier to talk it over with friends or family, or try and nut it out on my own, but the truth can only be found in the bible.
ReplyDeleteFriends who are well-schooled in the Word are such a blessing, aren't they? Seeking wise counsel is always a good idea, as long as we have the right people to go to:) I need the reminder, too. It's one of those easy preaching, hard living truths.
ReplyDeleteABSOLUTLEY! Very well said!
ReplyDeleteAmy @ Raising Arrows
Amen! I once read in one of Ken Ham's book that if the Bible is all we had to live by would that be enough? YES! Everything we need to live by is in the Word of God! Amen!
ReplyDelete