The Apostle Paul described the Bible as Divine Authority, when he wrote the following in a letter to a young pastor, named Timothy:
“And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That (purpose clause – here’s the reason) the man of God may be perfect (perfected – growing to maturity in Christ), thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:15-17).
Reading the bible is one thing, but the student is careful and interested to meditate on what is being said; what is the MESSAGE? So, we need to stop for a moment and examine the wonderful truths in this verse:
“The word of God is profitable” — Paul is reminding Timothy that God’s Word pays dividends! God’s Word is for the believer’s benefit — it literally pays dividends. Think about this: These benefits and dividends are profitable now, in time, every day. These dividends are immeasurable and eternal.
God’s Word of Truth is imperative for our MENTAL TRANSFORMATION so that we may be conformed to the image of Christ. (Matthew 24:35; John 1:1; Romans 12:2). God’s Word changes the human heart. More and more as we study consistently, our thinking (human viewpoint), our outlook on life, especially our thought patterns begin to line up with our Lord’s. Paul is reminding Timothy: “that from his childhood he has known the holy scriptures, which have made him wise for salvation.” The scriptures turn on the light-faith of salvation in Christ. But, they do so much more — the Bible is:
PROFITABLE
1). “For doctrine” (for truth- the perfect textbook), “thy Word is Truth” John 17:17.
2). “For reproof ” God the Holy Spirit uses the metabolized Word in our mental frame of reference (knowledge base) to convict the believer.
3). “For correction” to guide us and correct our thinking, and our decisions, so that more and more we think like Christ. The Bible IS the MIND OF CHRIST (1 Corinthians 2:16).
4). “For instruction in righteousness” there is nothing more advantageous and beneficial for the believer than learning how-to LIVE IN righteousness and fellowship … a life, controlled by the Holy Spirit.
5). “thoroughly furnished” — the Bible gives us everything we will need to do the work of the Lord — God’s WILL.
From the Holy Scriptures we learn God. From the Holy Scriptures we learn to live for Christ. From consistent inhalation of Bible Doctrine, we learn to think like Christ. We learn OBEDIENCE. We learn humility and self-control. Bible Doctrine is literally nourishment that your human spirit must have — it is soul food, as we shall see in a forthcoming message.
The Holy Scriptures are the believer’s highest authority.
Be quiet for a moment, right now, just listen to the silence and think about the WISDOM in this verse … it is power-packed.
“For the Word of God is quick (alive, quickened — living) and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of the soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner (critic) of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
Finally, in the Gospel of Mark, Jesus asked a very direct question that every man, woman and child should seriously think about: “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for hid soul?” (Mark 8:36,37)
Think on this:
There are only TWO VIEWPOINTS IN LIFE: Human and DIVINE (Yours and God’s). The Bible is all about the mental aspects of our thinking lives. Our thinking is either divine or human. Which is more important to you? Which is more important to the world? Be prepared for life and death by learning DIVINE VIEWPOINT.
Spiritual warfare is a constant. It is all around us. The believer is either a casualty or a victor in spiritual warfare, and the everyday details of life. God wants us to be properly equipped for battle in all the details of life. Please reference Romans 13:12-14; 2 Corinthians 6:7-13.
Happy studying in Fields of Grace.