II Timothy 3:16-17
“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.“
II Timothy 3:16-17 NKJV
What a word. There's nothing more profitable in the world than God's Word. It's profitable for teaching us. Just think of all the ways the Bible teaches us who God is.
The Bible teaches us the nature and character and attributes of God. Teaches us who we are. Teaches us what God is doing in the world, how to understand what is happening in our lives. It reproves us, corrects us, trains us in righteousness.
We are all prone to wander today. That’s the nature of our humanity, that we are all prone all day long to turn from God and His ways to ourselves and our own ways.
Which means we need the Word of God to reprove us, to correct us, to train us every day in righteousness, to live in a right relationship with God, to experience life to the full in right relationship with God so that you and I may be complete.
The Apostle Paul tells us in these verses that God's Word is good for us, it is profitable. He lists 4 functions of the Word of God in our lives, content, conviction, correction, and character.
God left us His Word not simply to increase our knowledge, but to infect our character and conduct.
Seeing how important God's Word is to the very foundation of our lives. The best way to assemble things is usually with instructions found in the box. The best way to build life is always on the instructions found in God's Word.
Paul wanted to make sure Timothy and us understand the inspiration and usefulness of Scripture in daily life. Paul noted that Scripture is inspired by God and therefore completely trustworthy.
The complete contents of the Bible have God's stamp of approval. The guidance of Paul and other godly figures in Timothy's life was secondary and supplemental to the authority of God's Word as the source of His revealed truth for His followers. Because Scripture is inspired by God, it is useful to His followers in many ways.
Bible study is one of the ways God speaks to us. It is the way we learn about God and His will for our lives. The Bible is beneficial for teaching, so it's beneficial for learning. Rebuke and correction make God's Word useful for avoiding future sin.
Training in righteousness points us to Christ, we can't be righteous apart from Him. The bible when actively read, engages us with God Himself.
As you open your Bible, imagine the Holy Spirit standing in front of soft clay or un-chiseled marble. As you read the Scriptures, the Spirit takes those Scriptures and molds you and shapes you into someone beautiful.
That someone is still you just as surely as clay shaped by a potter is still clay and chiseled marble is still marble but as the Spirit works on you through the Word, you come to resemble Jesus, more and more. You are shaped by the Holy Spirit who uses that Scripture to fashion you for the life God has for you.
Thank God for His promises to thoroughly equip you for every good work as you engage with Him in His Word. Ask Him to help you meditate on His Word throughout the day so that Scripture begins to come to mind and flow naturally in everyday conversations.
Let us never forget that all Scripture is God breathed. From start to finish it is profitable, beneficial, enriching, and illuminating, for all God's people.
It teaches the truth, opens the way of salvation , warns of danger and comforts us in our sorrows. It reproves us when we go astray, corrects us when we miss the mark, instructs us to do what is right, and is the most comprehensive training manual in righteousness!!!
Father thank You for the beauty of this day and the breathe of life found through Your Word. Lord open the floodgates of heaven and allow Your abundant blessings to flow over my friend and family today. Lord thank You for the God-breathed Scriptures, Teach us, convict us, correct us and train us through the living, powerful inspired Word of truth, that we may be equipped to carry out the work that You have ordained for us to do. Lord please give us the character and the courage to put it into practical use. Lord use my friend to share the gift of Your life changing Word with all today. Be a blessing. Love ya
Father we love you amen. !
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