The Psalmist declared, “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11).
He understood the importance of studying and knowing God’s word so that he could live according to His will and perfect plan. God has graciously revealed Himself through the Bible and calls us to read and know all that He has said.
In 1 Timothy 3:14-17, Paul emphasizes to Timothy the importance of staying the course, continuing in what he knows, believes and lives, for it is God alone who provided divine revelation to the writers of the scriptures and the teachers in which Timothy followed. True learning comes from God’s perfect word, the Bible, and must not be abandoned nor seldom looked into; it provides guidance and encouragement regarding eternal life and, more importantly, offers a glimpse to the reader of the magnificence and majesty of God.
Forty different authors were inspired by the Holy Spirit as they wrote the Bible. “For prophesy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (1 Peter 1:21). Paul emphatically asserts the Bible’s inspiration (“God-breathed” in 1 Timothy 3:16) and provides a list of four practical uses of the scriptures: teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.
Although this may not be an all inclusive list of what Paul found scriptures to be useful for, it is an accurate depiction of what the scriptures should at least be viewed as. In essence, because of the canonization of Paul’s epistle to Timothy, the Bible has in and of itself given credence to, and the reasons for, it’s writing and importance.
Verse 16 is the instructional truth leading to practical application in verse 17; Paul speaks of the tools provided by scripture that equip mankind to become doers of the law in “every good work” (v. 17). These foundational truths are:
1. The Bible is God’s revelation of Himself to mankind;
2. The Bible is without error; and
3. The Bible is God’s authoritative guide for Christian faith and life.
This is closely related to Paul’s words in 1 Thessalonians 2:13, “And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.”
Everything we know about God, He has made known to us. God has introduced Himself to us through His Word. The Bible not only shows us who God is, but proves it all to be completely true and accurate through His Son, Jesus Christ.
Jesus’ prayer in John 17:17 (“Sanctify them by your word…”) declares that one important reason that God gave His word was to change His people. The Word of God has the power to change, has the potential to protect against sin, and has the ability to help receive the abundant blessings of God.
It is important for believers to read and understand the Bible, and to find every avenue available to pour God’s word into their souls — to memorize it, meditate on it, and hide it in their heart. The Bible is God’s gift to His people, and through it, Christians can understand the abundance of life in Christ everlasting.
by Nick Kennicott
Nicholas (Nick) Kennicott is the pastor to students at Ephesus Church in Rincon, GA. U.S.A http://nickkennicott.hubpages.com
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