Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

The Supremacy of the Word of God


Dr. Julie Sadhu
Bethel MTC, Illinois
16 All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.

Today’s passage is taken from Paul’s second letter to Timothy while he lay in a Roman prison, awaiting execution. He was nearing the end of his ministry and knew that death was near. He wrote this letter to Timothy, his spiritual son, exhorting him to continue in the faith and to persevere in the good work of sharing the gospel.  In the preceding verses, he reminds Timothy of how a Christian ought to conduct themselves, pursuing righteousness, faith and love, and sharing the gospel boldly but gently and respectfully. He reminds him that the last days will be filled with scoffers who will “have a form of godliness but denying its power” (2 Timothy 3:5, NIV).  He then leads into today’s passage where he reminds Timothy of his own life and ministry and that the Word of God in which he has placed his trust is, in fact, trustworthy.  What does it mean to be trustworthy? It means that it will not fail- that what it states is truth, what it promises, will come to pass, what he was taught and puts his hope in will not disappoint. This was meaningful to the first century Christians who were staking their lives on the truths found in Scripture.  It is equally true for us today. It is common for individuals, even among those who profess to be Christians, to claim that the Bible is not wholly accurate, that it contains errors, exaggerated tales, human embellishments, and that portions of the Bible are obsolete and no longer relevant. However, this is not what today’s verse reminds us. Paul reminds Timothy, and us, that the entire Word of God, ALL Scripture is God-breathed. Peter himself writes: We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. "Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit." (2 Peter 1:20-21 NIV). Paul reminds Timothy that the Scriptures can make him wise for salvation and are useful for training him in righteousness and for equipping him for every good work.  Paul’s words ring true for us today.  God’s Word is steadfast, reliable, and true and contains God’s very real message for His people.


PRAYER


“Dear Lord, thank You for Your Word that You have given to us.  Please give us a thirst and a hunger for Your Word, a desire to grow in knowledge, faith, and love for You, and a boldness and courage to share Your Word with a world that is lost. Thank you for sending Your Son Jesus Christ to die on our behalf. Help us to be faithful servants. Amen”.


THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

“True wisdom is found in pursuing the knowledge of God as found in the Scriptures.” 

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