By Pastora Beth Lee
2 Timothy 3:14-17 says, “But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.”
How many of you have read something and did not understand any of it? Maybe because it had nothing to do with your life at the moment. It is the same way in reading the Bible. You read it and only understand what you need at the moment. The church in Ephesus is much like the church today. 2 Timothy 3:2-5 says, “For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!” This is the reason why Paul wrote to Timothy in Ephesus. Instead of loving God, they love worldly things. It is the same nowadays.
Teaching the Bible is a vital element in the growth of a Christian (V.16). Teaching is instructing believers in the ways of the Lord. God wants you to way His way and not the way of the world. You need to obey Him.
The Bible is also used for reproof (V. 16). When man does something wrong, the words of God can be used to prove him wrong too. Your wrong can be pointed out by the words of the Lord in the Bible. The Holy Spirit helps in teaching man
What is right and what is wrong. There are many false teachings and you have to beware of it.
The Bible can also be used for correction (V. 16). If reproof is pointing out what you did wrong, correction tells you how to fix it. It restores your relationship with God and with others. If God’s word is not in you, how can you be corrected? The world will be the one to correct you and you cannot be sure that the world’s ways are right.
The Bible is profitable in training in righteousness (V. 16). The original meaning of training is “bringing up.” How can you be righteous if you were not taught it while you were still a child. The Bible tells you to train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it. The world also says that you cannot teach an old dog new tricks. Discipline your children while they are young. You will reap what you sow in the end. While you read the Bible, it becomes alive in you. You are able to adapt God’s word and more sooner than later, you begin to live it. Spiritual transformation begins to take place.
The Word of God is your map. Just like Waze, it teaches you where to go for life. It guides you to truth and freedom too. John 8:32 says, “The truth will set you free.” God’s word teaches you to align your behavior to match your identity in Him.
You have to have personal intimacy with God. Psalm 63:6 says, “I lie awake thinking of you, meditating on you through the night.” Read the Bible day and night, as much as you can. When you love someone, you do not talk to them only once a day. You talk to them as much as you can. That is the only way you can get more intimate with them.
Ask the Holy Spirit to give you understanding in reading the Bible. John 14:26 says, “But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.” The Holy Spirit is the one who reminds you of God’s promises all the time. He tells you the right thing to do. He is God’s advocate.
Read the Bible in all humility and in a constant attitude of repentance. Psalms 51:10,17 says, “Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.” God will not reject anybody who comes to Him in humility and repentance. John Piper said, “I have never met a mature, fruitful, strong, and spiritually discerning Christian who is not full of scripture, devoted to regular meditation on scripture, and given to storing it in the heart through Bible memorization.”
Everybody needs God’s word. Your life is useless without it. The Bible is your
Basic
Instruction
Before
Leaving
Earth.
Read it with your whole being.
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