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The Purpose of the Bible - 2 Timothy 3:16-17
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5/17/2010 11:37:54 AM
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The Purpose of the Bible: "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
Why is reading the Bible important? Very much so! The Bible is the Word of God and is the only source of Spiritual Life: "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17)"
Before we look at our text, let's consider the truth in Paul's statement. Paul says that faith comes by "hearing" and "hearing" comes by the "Word of God". This verse is often misread as one thing that leads to saving faith; the Word of God. But that is not correct! The Word of God does NOT produce faith! Here is the proof:
"But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. (1 Corinthians 2:14)"
The bible says that lost ("natural") man can not receive things of God's Spirit for two reasons. One, they are foolishness to him. When a lost man reads the bible, it makes no sense! It is a bungle of jumbled words with confusing meanings and seemingly contradictions points. The second reason a lost man can not understand the bible is because it is "spiritually discerned". But a lost man is spiritually dead! He can no more understand God's Words than a corpse can understand the local news reports! It is not possible for a lost man to obtain faith from reading God's word.
However, Paul did not say that faith comes from reading God's word, he said that "hearing" comes from reading it. So what's the difference? Is that not just "double-talk"? No, the difference is the hearing part! Hearing comes from the Holy Spirit. God's Holy Spirit reveals the spiritual truths of His Word by providing us with the spiritual life we need to discern it! As He interprets it to us, it makes sense, is logical and we see that it is TRUTH! But He only reveals it to God's chosen people only; His children! It is never given to Satan's children (see related blog: How is Satan a Blessing to Christians?)
Now let's look at our text with that knowledge as our foundation for understanding it. First Paul states the essence of the Bible as "given by inspiration". The original Greek word means "God-Breath". The Word of God was written by man but they were given the words to write by God's Spirit as He Breathed it into their mind and hearts. They were the pen, He was the Author! Is this a new concept for us? No. Remember how God made man? He formed Him from the dust of the earth and "Breathed" into his nostrils the breath of life. God was intimately and personally involved with creating man in His image. He is here seen as just as intimately and personally involved with man in writing His Word!
So we have seen that God's Word, the Bible, was personally and intimately delivered to man by God Himself. The Bible is a spiritual book that contains only facts that are Spiritually discernible. The Bible is the tool God's Spirit uses to produce "Hearing" and that is done on a personal, one-by-one, communication between God and the individual in an intimate encounter with God. That encounter leads man to a personal and intimate "faith" in God and His truthfulness in His Words!
Paul goes on to record four things that the Word of God is profitable for:- "doctrine"
- "reproof"
- "correction"
- "instruction in righteousness"
But remember that the words are from God. Their order is arranged by God. Notice this as we look at each of these in detail.
DoctrineDoctrine is a theological word that means a specific "Truth" that is unchangeable and unquestionable. It is interesting that God makes this statement first! Consider the Ten Commandments; which is first? "You shall have no other gods before Me". Doctrine is supreme in the scriptures because it is the unchangeable truths from Him who is to be First in all things! Do you love God first? Then you love Doctrine right? If you don't love doctrine, you better reconsider your relationship to God!
ReproofReproof comes in second place as it is very closely related to doctrine! Reproof is the act of using God's word to confront Satan, sin and rebellion against God. If a person is deliberately trying to course discord, twist the words of God for personal gain or pride of the flesh, or is yielding to Satan by using it as he did to deliberately defraud another, God's Word is profitable to stifle such attacks against God's Holiness. Turning God's Truth into a Lie is a very serious offense! This is the very distinguishing mark of false-teachers, false-prophets, Satan and the Antichrist!
Jesus said, "Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name? And then I will declare to them, I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!" (Matthew 7:22-23)
CorrectionNext we have correction. This is not the same as reproof as it deals with honest errors in understanding God and His Word. Remember God's Word is "spiritually discerned" as it is from the very Mind, heart and Will of the Lord! His Truths, like Himself, is Infinite! We as humans, who are far from all knowing, need God's Spirit to reveal His truth. However we also have the old nature which wars against our new nature. Some things we believe, not because "Thus Saith the Lord", but because our flesh resist the Truth. So we choose to believe things that fall short of what God really meant in a passage of scripture. Sometime it is just that we don't understand the text. Then it is time to study it but we may put that off and form opinions as to what it means. Other time, we may just fall victim to the teachings of false-teachers we "think" are good, that we respect or that a friend referred us to, but in fact they are evil!
Instruction in RighteousnessLast, but by no mean, less important, we have "Instruction in Righteousness"! Our goal as children of God should always be to full fill His command: "Be holy, for I am holy." Holiness means being righteous; doing the right things our of a truthful and pure heart. Holiness is one of the very things Satan does not want! He has spent his entire existence trying to make other unholy. As a way for him to perform this task in the church, he chose a very simple tactic: He redefined "Holiness" into a spiritual pride and emotionalism. Hence an entire group of lost people have broken away from main-line Christianity to form the Holiness movement which has absolutely nothing to do with "righteousness". It is a spawn of the devil and people who do not strive for the Holiness and Righteousness of God, need to evaluate their salvation experience. Read the Bible, it is FULL of facts about living a Holy and Righteous life; Instruction in Righteousness!
Outcome of The Four Purposes of ScriptureAs we do all we can to appropriate God's Word into our hearts and minds, we become true disciples of Jesus! Paul states in the last two phrases of our text that using the Bible for the correct four reasons, produces the following results in our lives: "that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." The first result is we become "complete", finished, perfected. God's Word provides us with every Truth we need to be like God; to be His child recreated in His image; to lack nothing in the way of Holiness, Righteousness, Authority against lies and deceptions, knowing the Will of God, correctly representing Jesus to a lost and dying (foolish) world!
Paul states in the last phrase that as we become more and more proficient in God's Word, we become better "equipped" to serve Him in Truth and in Spirit. Our service for Him becomes more and more effective and out life is enriched by Him.
In closing, remember that the Word of God is ALIVE, POWERFUL, A SWORD!
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)
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Summary
We are being
warned! God is showing us what His purpose for this
world entails. As we get closer and closer to the end,
the world has become more and more sinful! And
unfortunately, this condition will worsen till He
returns and redeems us from ourselves. Don't let sin,
self or Satan who has invaded our planet separate you
from the free gift of salvation that Jesus extends to
you in His invitation to be born-again:
For God so loved the world that He gave His only
begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not
perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send
His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that
the world through Him might be saved. “He who believes
in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe
is condemned already, because he has not believed in
the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:16-18)
Are You Ready? If not get ready, "Repent
for the Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand"!
Click to Read:
Luke 13:3;
Ephesians 2:8-9;
Romans 10:8-13;
Acts2:38
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