2 Timothy 3:14-17 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
As we continue to look at the importance of reading the Bible let’s outline what this passages states scripture is useful for in verse 16. If you missed part 1, you can find it HERE
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for:
- Teaching
- Rebuking
- Correcting
- Training in Righteousness
So that we (as servants of God) make be equipped to do good work!
There’s another point in this passage, in verse 15, that states what the scriptures can do. The Bible is also able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Jesus!
We need all these things in our lives as we seek to be more Christ-like and grow in faith and knowledge of Jesus! I need Jesus to teach me! I need Jesus to rebuke me when I’m wrong! I need Jesus to correct me when I’ve gone off course! I need Jesus to continually train me in righteousness that I may most clearly reflect Him to everyone around me. I need wisdom to keep my eyes focused on Jesus that I might obtain salvation through faith in Jesus alone!
All these things that I need come from the scripture, the Bible! It’s vitally important that I read my Bible for myself daily so that Jesus can continue His good work in me!
It’s important to note that the scriptures Paul is referencing here in his letter to Timothy are of course only our Old Testament scriptures. The New Testament of our Bible hadn’t been assembled yet, as Paul was unknowingly writing some of it! How blessed we are to have such free access to the scriptures! With free bible apps and webpages, it has never been easier to read the Bible. But it’s still a decision we must make. It’s still a choice and an action that we must do.
Make a decision today that you will get in the word of God a bit more than you currently do. If you never read the Bible, make a commitment to yourself that you’ll start reading once per week. If you read it once per week choose to increase that to twice a week. Wherever you are, take a tiny step to pursue Him just a tiny bit more! He will reward you by molding you a tiny bit more into His likeness! And that’s the greatest reward of all.
To following Him and being unwilling to remain the same! Be Blessed!
~A.E.
If you find you need some help understanding what you read or knowing where to start reading, consider checking out my 40 Day independent study! It’s specifically designed to help you understand what you’re reading with thought provoking questions to make you think. You can check it out HERE
