Thursday: The Word in Our Lives
As we have seen, Peter placed great emphasis on the Holy Scriptures. Second Peter 1:19-21 is a powerful affirmation of the importance of the Bible to our Christian experience and to the divine inspiration of the Scriptures. His point is clear in 2 Peter 1:21. The Bible is not the product of human will, human devising, like other books. It is a book produced through the power of the Holy Spirit working through “holy men of God.”
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Read 2 Timothy 3:15-17. How do these texts help us to understand the role of Scripture in our lives? How do they enforce the truth of 2 Peter 1:19-21?
After warning Timothy about the dangers facing him and the church, Paul gives a brief outline of the importance of Scripture. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Tim. 3:16).
Let’s look at these three points.
Doctrine: Doctrines are the teachings of the church. They express the beliefs of the community on various biblical topics deemed important in the Word of God. Ideally, each doctrine should be Christ-centered, and each should teach us something that helps us know how to live in accordance with the “perfect will of God” (Rom. 12:2, ASV).
Guidance: Paul tells Timothy that Scripture is profitable for “reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Tim. 3:16). Peter makes a similar point when he says that the prophecy in Scripture is like a lamp that is shining in a dark place (2 Pet. 1:19). In other words, Scripture provides guidance in how we should live our lives and in what is right and wrong conduct. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Scripture is nothing less than the revealed will of God.
“Wise unto Salvation”: When he says that Scripture makes us “wise unto salvation” (2 Tim. 3:15), Paul is pointing out that Scripture points us to Jesus. Salvation is built on the belief that Jesus has died for our sins.
Doctrine, moral guidance, the knowledge of salvation: no wonder the Word of God is like “a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts” (2 Pet. 1:19, NKJV).
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The most important text mentioned above and most applicable to most of us is Romans 12:22. Our minds cluttered with every imaginable distraction, is constantly filled with unacceptable trash. At times we all fall into the category and beg for repentance and forgiveness. What a battle we contend with!
Mine is a question. Both Peter and Paul agree to the authenticity of scripture having divine authorship. But history has confirmed that it has undergone many alteration by the Papacy. What about that?...
2 Timothy 3: 15-17....
There are some good books that show how the hand of God directed the compilation of the Bible. One of the best is the "Emmaus Code", by David Limbaugh. He goes through each book of the Bible and shows how they all have one theme, Christ the Savior. Jesus Himself revealed the "Code" after His resurrection on the road to Emmaus.
Jim Williams, are you referring to the Da Vinci Code? A popular Movie some years ago. I choose scripture alone for my inspirational reading. Sola Scriptura. Some commentaries can be helpful. But judicial application is necessary.
The book "Emmaus Code" by David Limbaugh is a serious attempt to find Christ in the Old Testament. It should not be confused with Dan Brown's fictional "Da Vinci Code", which has no serious relationship to theology.
There is so much to learn from the Word! It takes more than an earthly lifetime to get it all! But first it is necessary to believe! Then study! Then practice. If it does not become a practical knowledge, it does not make sense!
Take away thought: don't stop at study of scripture until you see the Jesus revealed therein!
Sharon, so true. Sometimes we miss the true reason for the word, and we get so caught up in doctrine etc. that we don't see who God really is. There are so many versions of God and so many different perspectives of Him that sometimes bring confusion. So many different interpretations. What I know for sure though is that "God so loved the world that He gave His only son (Jesus)that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life" and I say Alleluia.
God bless Sis.
Here's the problem with the different translations. In Jn. 3:16 We Do Not have Eteral Life...We have Ever Lasting Life .. Only God is Eternal...He has always been
Never created..
King James version also says \'everlasting life\'.
Thanks for bringing the worldwide English new testament to my attention.
While I understand what you are saying here, it is not backed up by the original Greek. The distinction between "eternal" and "everlasting" is not evident in John 3. The Greek word "aiōnion" is used in both John 3: 15 and 16.
It is translated in the KJV as "eternal" in verse 15 and "everlasting" in verse 16.
In fact the same word is used around 17 times in John and 71 times in the New Testament.
It is also worth noting that the same Greek word us used to describe "everlasting fire.
Karen, just a side note of sorts. John 3:16 is probably the most often quoted verse in the Bible. To differentiate between eternal and everlasting in human terms that John uses, Who was His only begotten son? If our finite minds can wrap around this problem maybe the answers will be forthcoming.
Amen to this week's lesson; may the good Lord through the guidance of His Holy Ghost always help His church in executing/admonishing/edifying/upbringing His people using His Word, Spirit of Prophecy and the Church Manual. Philippians 4:13
Yes the Holy Spirit does guide us in our understanding of the Scripures. That is why it is so important to ask Him to illuminate us and broaden our understanding as we read and study the Scriptures.
It has always made me wonder why people say things like, "Well, that's in the Old Testament." They say this as if to say, there is nothing there to help them in the New Testament church.
But, without a doubt, "All scripture is good...." This was written before there was a New Testament. The disciples and Jesus all used the "Old Testament" to support their teachings....Why are we any different? Of course, there are some things in the OT that have passed, but many want to throw out the Baby with the bath water. Happy Sabbath when it comes to you!
Eddie Armstrong, we often have favorite Verses or Chapter and Books in the Bible, and tend to discredit those that we very seldom if ever read. The New Testament has been given more attention in many different churches than in others. I would suppose it might be because Jesus in the Gospels is the complete account of His life, death, and resurrection. Some would immediately counter, there is much to be said about Jesus and his life here on earth in the old testament. True but one outweighs the other, hands down. I read both as often as I can. If your interested in Old testament history The favorite stories that we have grown up with, still tell us about David and Goliath, and Daniel in the Lions den, and baby Moses. These stories are irreplaceable. 39 chapters in the Old Testament and 27 in the new Testament, all 66 equally important.
Yes only God is eternal. But praise His holy name that in His Son Jesus and via His Holy Spirit God gives us, as a gift to share with Him throughout eternity, His eternal life. Amen.