more than reading

We are exploring HOW God uses His Word to accomplish His purposes in us, especially when we are walking through difficult times.

Saturday, we were in the middle of looking at …

2 Timothy 3:16-17 NKJV   16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 

We noted the magnitude of the promise here that God-breathed instruction would
tell us the truth, show us when we err, instruct us how to make correction, and in general train us in being righteous as God is righteous.

My, my, what a word from God!

But we paused when we noted that the Spirit said that this Holy Word from Holy God MAY make us complete, MAY equip us for every good work.

Do I dare be completely honest here?

• I am not very happy with MAY.
• I do not want an instruction book for a camera that MAY get me a good picture.
• I do not want advice about the new saw that MAY make it cut wood.
• I like to know HOW something WILL work, not MAY work!

Surely I am missing something in what the Holy Spirit is saying to Timothy through Paul. 

I have learned across the years, when I am not understanding something well or completely, to read before and after – to get the context.  So, let´s back up to verse 14.

2 Timothy 3:14–17 NKJV   14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Paul is speaking to Timothy as his father in the ministry.  He tells Timothy…

• You must continue in what you learned from childhood. (Continue in what?)
• The Holy Scriptures!

There it is!  Here is the rest of the HOW.
Timothy, and us by the way, must continue in the Scriptures.  What does that mean?

The word translated continue means to

• Abide
• Dwell
• Stay
• Live in
  

​-Paul says to Timothy, “The Scriptures must be your life.  The Scriptures must define the way you live.”
 
HOW does the Word of God cause His purposes to be accomplished in our lives?

• We must read the Word, so that we receive the correct instruction.
• And then we must obey the Word, so that we live according to the instruction.

When we both read and obey the Scriptures, the MAY changes to WILL.

• Reading and obeying God´s Word causes us to become complete.
• Reading and obeying God´s Word causes us to be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

And that is HOW it works!

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