2 Timothy 3:14-17 (2)

How can we live faithfully as Christians?  Again we say, faithfulness demands that we continue in the truth of Scripture.  That is what this, one of the greatest passages in all of the Bible about the Bible, tells us. 

·        First it tells us that the Scriptures (lit. writings) are able to make you wise unto salvation.  Salvation is not simply a matter of getting saved once and for all; it is a matter of being saved from the penalty of sin and then becoming saved (delivered) from the power of sin while we await being saved from the presence of sin.  Salvation is an event with a beginning (Acts 16:31), ongoing implications (Ph. 2:12-13), and a definite conclusion (1 Pt. 1:5,9).  One event!

·        Thus, second, Paul says the Scriptures are profitable (useful) to build up the man of God (the person who is following Christ) so he is equipped for all good work.  To be wise for salvation is to be equipped for every good work.

The value of Scripture in the entirety of our lives is the result of the inspiration of God.  The Creator who made us is the ultimate Author of the Bible.  Thus it is filled, from cover to cover, with His words to His creation.  It fits perfectly because it comes from the One who knows us perfectly and who is Truth!  And no part of the Bible is unnecessary.  It is useful for …

ü Doctrine (teaching): giving us right thoughts and principles.

ü Reproof: telling us what has been proven, what is real, so we are not fooled by every wind of doctrine (Eph. 4:14).

ü Correction: calling attention to our wrong, sinful actions.

ü Instruction in righteousness: shining a light on the path of righteousness so we know the right action in a given situation.

This is the reason that Paul, when he carried out his ministry in a local church, kept back nothing that was helpful (all the Scriptures are helpful) and declared the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:20,27).  In our personal lives and in our corporate ministry we must be open to all that God has said, not just those parts of Scripture we find most interesting or even that which speaks to us today!

When we vacation we always find a church on Sunday to join with believers.  Far too often we have been sadly disappointed with preaching that falls far short of Paul’s standard (Jesus’ standard).  In one typical setting, the preacher reads a text, then makes three points, the second being about being giving generously and attending church regularly, and the third that we need to get saved.  I would look at the text and think about how much of God’s counsel was missed, perhaps because the preacher didn’t have or take time to study, meditate and prepare.  

Again, please, I am not your judge.  But Jesus Christ is (2 Tim. 4:1).  We will all stand before Him.  And HE is the One who is speaking to us through Paul.  Do we not long to hear, well done thou good and faithful servant?  Let us be clear: faithfulness depends on being equipped by the entirety of God’s word!