“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” John 1:1-4
Jesus is the Word of God – the Living Word of God. God’s Word is not an ancient book filled with words – it is The Book of the Ancient of Days filled with Words of Life and Power.
“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
The Word of God is unlike any other book. It contains the Words of the Almighty God spoken and written to the human race. The Words in God’s Word are alive and powerful. God uses His Word to divide soul and spirit, joints and marrow – and to discern the thoughts and intents of our heart.
“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
Paul first admonished Timothy to hold fast to the sacred Scriptures he learned as a child – “But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 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.” (2 Timothy 3:14-15) The Old Testament writings Timothy had heard from early childhood were wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. The words “all Scripture” (pasa graphe) mean “every writing” and speak to every passage of Scripture as being given by inspiration of God. Every Old Testament writing was “God-breathed” (theopneustos). God’s Spirit was in control of the writing of Holy Scripture. We can trust what it says!
God used Divine Inspiration to Speak His Word to humanity – and it is profitable for four things:
1) Doctrine
2) Reproof
3) Correction
4) Instruction in righteousness
This is one of the most insightful and powerful statements in the Bible about why God inspired chosen people to receive and write the Words of God. It is true now – was true when Paul wrote it – and will always be true.
Profitable – ophelimos = useful, advantage, benefit
God inspired His Word so that it would be useful to His children and give them an advantage in life. Think about the advantages you have in having access to and understanding God’s Word. You know God – you know He exists – you know why He exists – you know what He did and what He will do – you know where He lives – you know how to communicate with Him – you know the ageless secrets and mysteries of life – you know the depth of God’s power – you know right from wrong – you know Truth – you know the Way – you know Life – you know the Living Word. You have a great advantage over every human being who does now know what you know. God’s Word is useful to you – it is a great benefit to you.
Doctrine – didaskoalian = teaching, teaching material, that which is taught
We know what we know because the One Who Knows has made known to us what can be known. God has not held back anything that needs to be known. He has shared His Mind with us – and He wants us to have His Mind in us. He wants His Thoughts to be our thoughts – His Desire to be our desire – His Purpose to be our purpose. He has taught us and made known to us the Doctrine of Heaven. The knowledge that the human race has lived and died to try to find is ours. God gives it freely to those who belong to Him.
Reproof – elegmos = a reproof, rebuke, conviction
God reproves those He loves. He convicts us of sin in our lives and points us toward holy living. It is proof that we belong to Him. It is our great hope of being freed from the sinfulness that binds men’s minds and hearts. God is our Father – we are His children.
“And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: ‘My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; For whom the LORD loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.” Hebrews 12:5-6
“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” Revelation 3:19-20
Correction – epanorthosin = restoration to a right state, improvement
We know that in Christ we are in a permanent “right state” or “right standing” with God, but we struggle in practice on a daily basis. God wants us to become what we are – holy and set apart for service to God – so the Lord continually corrects and restores us – through His Word. Isn’t that what a good parent does for his or her child when they do something wrong or dangerous? They correct their child – which can include discipline – then restore them to a right relationship, including renewed fellowship in the family. That’s what God does for us through His Word. He corrects our bad behavior – which can include discipline – then restores us to a right relationship, including renewed fellowship in the family of God. It’s a beautiful process – both natural and supernatural.
Instruction in righteousness – paideian ten en dikaiosune = training of a child in the character or quality of being right and just
God cares so much for us that He takes the time to train us in how to grow and prosper as one of His chosen children. God cares very much about our character and the quality of our heart, mind and soul. He inspired the writing of His Word so that we would have a supernatural life manual about growing into the image of His Son (Romans 8:29). This is God’s purpose for us – “that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” He wants to “complete” (artios) and “thoroughly equip” (exartizo) us for the exciting things He has chosen for us to do – “every good work.” Our purpose in life is a high calling – higher than any calling you could ever receive from the world. We serve the Living God as we understand and obey the Living Word.
Blessings!
In Christ’s Love and Grace,
Mark McGee
GraceLife Ministries
“Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”
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