All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.—2 Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is profitable! Knowing this, we cheat ourselves when we do not access every book, every truth, every verse, and every page of our Bibles for the promises and commands God has for us. Because every verse of Scripture is inspired by God and gainful to us, we should not pick and choose which verses we will read and study.
We should not claim verses we like and ignore those that convict us! If we are to become mature disciples of Jesus, we must allow every Scripture to speak to us and teach us what God desires us to learn (2 Tim 3:15). Scripture enables us to evaluate the soundness of doctrines that are being taught (2Tim2:15). Scripture ought to be the basis for any reproof or correction we bring to another.
If you are not firmly grounded in God’s Word, you will be bombarded with an assortment of doctrines, lifestyles, and behaviors, and you will have no means to evaluate whether or not they are of God (2 Chronicle 17:7-10). You cannot develop a righteous life apart from God’s Word. Righteousness must be cultivated (2Kings 22:9-13). As you fill your mind with the words of God, and as you obey His instructions, He will guide you in the ways of righteousness (Eph 4:14).
The Scripture will equip you for any good work God calls you to do we are expected to be grounded in the word of God (Jas1 :21-23; Lk 11:28). If you feel inadequate for a task God has given you, search the Scriptures, for within them you will find the wisdom you need to carry out His assignment(Heb 5:4). Allow the Word of God to permeate, guide, and enrich your life (Heb 4:12).
The whole Bible is God’s inspired Word. Because it is inspired and trustworthy, we should read it and apply it to our lives. The Bible is our standard for testing everything else that claims to be true. It is our safeguard against false teaching and our source of guidance for how we should live (Eph 4:14) It is our only source of knowledge about how we can be saved. God wants to show you what is true and equip you to live for him. How much time do you spend in God’s Word? (Jos1:8) Read it regularly to discover God’s truth and to become confident in your life and faith. Develop a plan for reading the whole Bible, not just the familiar passages.
In our zeal for the truth of Scripture, we must never forget its purpose (v17)—to equip us to do good. We should not study God’s Word simply to increase our knowledge or to prepare us to win arguments. We should study the Bible so that we will know how to do Christ’s work in the world (Neh 8:8; Lk 25:45). Our knowledge of God’s Word is not useful unless it strengthens our faith and leads us to do good (Deut 12:32).
Finally, those who would learn the things of God, and be assured of them, must know the Holy Scriptures, for they are the Divine revelation. The age of children is the age to learn; and those who would get true learning, must get it out of the Scriptures. They must not lie by us neglected, seldom or never looked into. The Bible is a sure guide to eternal life. The prophets and apostles did not speak from themselves, but delivered what they received of God, (2 Pet 1:21) It is profitable for all purposes of the Christian life. It is of use to all, for all need to be taught, corrected, and reproved. There is something in the Scriptures suitable for every case. Oh that we may love our Bibles more, and keep closer to them! then shall we find benefit, and at last gain the happiness therein promised by faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the main subject of both Testaments. We best oppose error by promoting a solid knowledge of the word of truth; and the greatest kindness we can do to children, is to make them early to know the Bible.
Power Verse
Matt 13:3-8 (MSG) Using the boat as a pulpit, he addressed his congregation, telling stories. “What do you make of this? A farmer planted seed. 4 As he scattered the seed, some of it fell on the road, and birds ate it. 5 Some fell in the gravel; it sprouted quickly but didn’t put down roots, 6 so when the sun came up it withered just as quickly. 7 Some fell in the weeds; as it came up, it was strangled by the weeds. 8 Some fell on good earth, and produced a harvest beyond his wildest dreams. Also (Matt 13:18-23)
Heb 4:12 (NLT) For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
May God give us understanding as we study His words and put it to action. Amen.
Remain blessed in the Lord
