The Bible
2 Timothy 3:14-17
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
Second Timothy was the last letter Paul wrote from prison when he knew his death was near. Timothy was like a son and Paul’s desire was to encourage him to persevere. To do this Paul pointed him to the word of God.
Like Timothy we “know” scripture. But it doesn’t end there. To be set apart, be a witness and ultimately reign with Christ, we must grow, transform and bear fruit. That is the evidence of spiritual life and this life is found in the Word. Scripture is the breath of God, His very life and story revealed for us. We have died to self so we need and desire His life to thrive. We need not just to know Scripture, but we need to let it be our heartbeat.
It is in Scripture we are taught the truth. We learn who God is and what He has done and plans to do. It is our guide and benchmark for every thought, choice and action. Truth is not found anywhere in this world, only in the Bible.
It is in Scripture we are shown our weaknesses and sin and shown how to turn back to God. It is why we confess, and how we know our worth and standing before God.
It is in Scripture we learn what righteousness is and learn God’s plan for us to become more and more like Jesus. The Bible is where we see clearly how to live a life pleasing to God.
So read the Word prayerfully and often. Don’t determine the meaning of Scripture, but we let the Holy Spirit help you discover the meaning. Don’t look only for what you need, but let the Holy Spirit show you what you need. Read passages over and over to let them penetrate and become part of you, and read whole chapters and sections to see how God’s story connects and to see the themes that run throughout the Bible. Sometimes study carefully and other times just take it in. Even if there is a difficult part or something that doesn’t make sense in the moment, keep reading because it was given by God and is profitable for your very life. Trust God to bring it all together when you need it. Read it to yourself, read it out loud, listen to it, sing it, and even read it with others. There are many methods and plans for reading the Bible, but what is important is that you dive in.
This isn’t just one more thing for us to do. Paul explains in verse 17 why it is necessary to make the Word our desire. When Scripture washes over us and reveals our hearts we move closer to the heart of God where we will be complete, whole. It is then that we are equipped for all that God wants us to do. The good works we were created for from the beginning are God’s heart and joy. We are a part of that because he loves us and wants us to share it with Him. God chose to give up His life for us on the cross once and then to continually renew us with His life through His Word. The Bible is God’s life-giving nourishment for us. Drink it all in, remembering His gifts to us are good and better than anything else that is offered to us.
Lisa Hassing, 18 years at Hope Church and is a women's bible study leader.
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