SCRIPTURE IS GOD BREATHED
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 2 Timothy 3:16 (NLT)
Do you remember the first time you went to a buffet? With crystal clarity, I can cast my mind back all those years and recall the unmitigated joy I felt upon beholding the plethora of choices before me. And while I was excited about all the options, it was more so the ability to pick and choose what I wanted. If your house growing up was like mine, what was made for mealtime was what you got—no ifs, ands or buts about it. But when I walked into that buffet, I knew I could take what I wanted (bread and dessert) and leave what I didn’t (vegetables).
Sadly, that’s the approach of many with God’s Word. I’ll take what I like and leave the rest. I’ll have a heaping helping of peace and eternal life. But sacrificial love of my neighbor? Praying for those who’ve wronged me? Adhering to a sexual ethic out of step with the world today? No thanks.
That’s not how God works. He’s not a buffet. You can’t kind of sort of accept His ways—you either do or you don’t. And I’m not saying there won’t be areas where it’s more difficult to submit to His authority. We have a sinful nature, live in a fallen world, and have a very real enemy who opposes us. But there are some who prefer to cherry-pick what they like and ignore the parts that they don’t. Often, it’s the passages that call us to confront sin within ourselves. But we must understand that God’s Word is God-breathed. According to Paul in the passage above, God’s Word does several things for us:
- Teaches us what’s true.
- Shows us what’s wrong in our lives.
- Corrects us.
- Teaches us what’s right.
Are you allowing God’s Word to be the ultimate guide for your life? If not— begin today.
APPLICATION: Consider your approach to God’s Word. Is it a steady part of your diet, or is it an occasional add-on? Are you picking and choosing what you like and leaving the rest? Consider adopting a strategy for reading all of God’s Word. It doesn’t have to be January to begin to read through the Bible in a year—start today!
PRAYER: Father, Your Word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. Use Your Word to continue to refine me. May Your Holy Spirit illuminate the text as I commit myself to studying Your ways. In Jesus’ name, amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?