The Purpose of Scripture

A thought that started my day . . .
2 Timothy 3:16
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

I picked out a few keys words (Scripture/God-breathed/righteousness) and at the prompting of the Holy Spirit I attempted to look at their definitions and their application to my life. Here's what the He allowed me to understand:
Scripture -
God's instructions to us
God's revelation of who He is
God's revelation of who we are to be
God's promises to us
God-Breathed -
God brought the Word to life. He Himself gave men the thoughts and knowledge and wisdom they needed to document what it was that He wanted us to know.
Righteousness -
The result of living a life that mirrors that of Christ's.
Webster's Dictionary . . .
Acting in accordance with divine or moral law
Free from guilt or sin
Genuine/right behavior/ethical

The meaning of this verse:
God Himself brought to life every possible truth that would enable us to know and accept Him.
When followed, we can then walk the walk and fully serve the purpose for which we were created.

Applying the Lesson . . .
Be in the Word - spend time devouring the message that God wants you to know
Know the Word - not just for more head knowledge but seek to know it passionately within my heart
Humble yourself in order to 'talk it' and 'walk it' throughout the day.

As I was getting ready for work I kept thinking about this lesson and how we need to fore go the fact that this (and many other verses) are familiar, faithful passages to us. We need to approach these kinds of verses with a eagerness to learn something new - rather than arrogantly flip them aside.
It's like drinking coffee . . . you don't stop drinking coffee just because you've already had a thousand other cups. A 'funny' side thought is that as you drink the coffee it leaves stains on your teeth. Likewise, you need to take in so much of the Word that it leaves a stain (although I prefer to say an impression) behind on your mind and your heart.
Seasoned Christian's should renew the truths of God's Word - not treat them like old callous' on our hands that have become such a part of us that we don't even remember how awesome it was when the dead skin wasn't there. We should realize that if we were to scrape the callous' off and get down to the fresh new skin we would see that it's thirsty for lotion and massage.

Well, my own callous' need to be cut away and lotion applied so I'll end by praying that the Holy Spirit renew in each of us a hunger, a thirst, a desire to take in His Word to overflowing!!!

Father, may it be so, in Jesus' name, I pray.
Amen and Amen
bo
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