The Applied Word of God - Part 23

2 Timothy 3:14-17 “14 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.”

Here, Paul, a very senior apostle is advising and training a young third generation believer, Timothy. Paul tells him to remember and hold on to the good news that he has been learning all his life. 

We see in this age how many children stay strong in the Word through their childhood but once they grow up, they start to backslide and slowly leave the faith being influenced by the worldly people. Many of us also tend to question and doubt God with our logic and intelligence. But true wisdom comes only from the Scriptures. 
As a parent, if you keep praying for your children and live as a good example for them, they will eventually come back to God. The seed of the Word sowed into the lives of the children in their childhood through Sunday school and family prayers will bear harvest at the right time. No matter how far you drift, God is able to draw you back to Him!

Paul tells Timothy to “continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of” and this is what each of us must do as well. God has breathed into every Word of the Scripture, both Old and New Testaments.

In this passage, we see that the Word of God is: 

1. Able to give wisdom for salvation

1 Corinthians 1:30 “It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.”
1 Corinthians 3:19 “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness"”

2. Useful for teaching 

It can be used to teach others!

3. Useful for rebuking

In Hebrews 12, we see that God rebukes and disciplines His children whom he loves. The Word of God rebukes us in order that we correct us from the sins/ mistakes that we tend to commit. Paul tells Timothy to rebuke those who sin with the Word of God. Jesus Himself has rebuked His disciples for their lack of faith. The Word can be used as a rod that disciplines. In Galatians and Corinthians, we see how Paul strongly rebukes the churches and writes to discipline them. However, it must always be people who are senior and well-versed in the Word who rebuke and it must be done in love, not anger. The Bible does not allow a wife to rebuke her husband nor a child their parents.

4. Useful for correcting

The Word of God is the standard to follow ( it is the plumbline) and we can correct our mistakes using Scripture. 

5. Useful for training in righteousness

Once we are saved, we have to be trained to grow and walk in righteousness. 

6. Able to equip you for every good work

Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

Jeremiah 48:10 “A curse on anyone who is lax in doing the LORD’s work! A curse on anyone who keeps their sword from bloodshed!”

The Word of God must not be left unused. It must be practised and applied in our lives.

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