Compiled By: Lisa K Gonzales
From: The Life Application Study Bible
16 “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 straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. 17 It is GOD’s way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing GOD wants us to do.” ~ 2 Timothy 3:16-17
The Bible is not just a collection of stories, fables, myths, or merely human ideas about GOD. It is not a human book. Through the Holy Spirit, GOD revealed HIS person and plan to certain believers, who wrote down HIS message for HIS people. – 20 “Above all you must understand that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophets themselves 21 or because they wanted to prophesy. It was the Holy Spirit who moved the prophets to speak from GOD.” – 2 Peter 1:20-21 – “It was the Holy Spirit who moved the prophets to speak from GOD” means that Scripture did not come from the creative work of the prophets’ own invention or interpretation. GOD inspired the writers, so their message is authentic and reliable. GOD used the talents, education, and cultural background of each writer – and no – they were not mindless robots. GOD cooperated with these writers in such a way to ensure that the message HE intended was faithfully communicated in the very words they wrote. This process is known as inspiration. The writers wrote from their own personal, historical, and cultural contexts. Although they used their own minds, talents, language, and style – they wrote what GOD wanted them to write. Scripture is completely trustworthy because GOD was in control of its writing. Its words are entirely authoritative for our faith and life. The Bible is “GOD-breathed”. We should daily read it, and use its teachings to guide our lives, our conduct.
The whole Bible is GOD’s inspired Word. Because it is inspired and trustworthy, we should read it and apply it to our life. The Bible is our standard for testing everything else that claims to be true. It is our safeguard against false teaching and our source of guidance for how we should live. It is our only source of knowledge about how we can be saved. GOD wants to show us what is true and equip us to live for HIM. How much time do you spend in GOD’s Word? We should read it daily to discover GOD’s truth and to become confident in our life and faith. Develop a plan for reading the whole Bible, not just the familiar passages.
In our zeal for the truth of Scripture, we must never forget its purpose – to equip us to do good. We should not study GOD’s Word simply to increase our knowledge or to prepare us to win arguments. We should study the Bible so that we will know how to do Christ’s work in the world. Our knowledge of GOD’s Word is not useful unless it strengthens our faith and leads us to live a GODly life and do good.
Thank YOU for YOUR Word, LORD. It is our safeguard against false teaching and our source of guidance for how we should live. It is the living truth breathed by YOU, Father GOD and it is our only source of knowledge about how we can be saved. Thank YOU for YOUR Word that strengthens our faith & equips us to live for YOU so that we can live with YOU in eternity.
Photo: Smith Family Bible (Smith Fort Plantation, C. 1765) (Surry, VA)
Photo By: Lisa K Gonzales
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