Profitable

October 12

Jeremiah 15-16

Psalm 113:4-9

Proverbs 24:28-29

2 Timothy 3

Profitable

“All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be equipped, having been thoroughly equipped for every good work.”  2 Timothy 3:16-17 LSB

Yesterday we discussed the importance of accurately handling the Word of God.  Today I want to examine why the Bible should be our standard.  Why should we believe it and do what it says?  Why is the Bible different from the millions of other books available in libraries and bookstores throughout the world?  This verse give us the answer to that question.  The Bible is God-breathed.  God is the author of the Bible.  He used human hands to record the words but they are His words.  Every word, every sentence, every chapter, and every book was written and given to us by the Creator and Lord of the universe.  It is the compilation of His message to the world.  He determined what would be included in it.  There are no mistakes, no contradictions and no errors.  It is exactly how He intended for it to be.  We should study it so that we know what it says and can obey it.  It is our instruction manual for life.  If we get a new toy or a new piece of equipment we read the instruction manual to see how to operate it and what features it has.  If we fail to read the manual we may not know all the things it can do or how to use it properly.  In God’s love and mercy, He gave us detailed instructions to help us navigate life and experience the fullness of His plan for us.  If we don’t read it, we are depriving ourselves of the benefit of His wisdom. 

God’s Word is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction and for training in righteousness so that we will be equipped for every good work.  These are the benefits God offers in His Word.  The Bible teaches us about God, His holiness, love, mercy, justice, grace, forgiveness, etc.  It reveals His character to us.  It also teaches us about man, his relationship with God, and his purpose.  It gives us moral principles and rules for living a life that is pleasing to God and it reveals God’s plan of redemption.  It teaches us how to have a relationship with Him and how to have a full and meaning life.  It is also profitable for reproof.  It exposes error and sin in our lives identifying things that we need to change.  And it provides correction so that we can repent and turn from sin and follow Him.  The Bible trains us in righteousness.  God’s Word leads us in the path of holiness and obedience.  As the Holy Spirit sanctifies us, He uses the Bible to give us understanding and insight so that we can be more like Christ.  It equips us to fulfill His plans and purpose for our lives.  We cannot become who He intends for us to be without studying His Word.