Profit not Loss, Christians Should Invest in the Word.
II Timothy 3:16, 17 ALL SCRIPTURE IS GIVEN BY INSPIRATION OF
GOD, AND IS PROFITABLE FOR DOCTRINE, FOR REPROOF, FOR
CORRECTION, FOR INSTRUCTION IN RIGHTEOUSNESS: THAT THE MAN OF
GOD MAY BE PERFECT, THROUGHLY FURNISHED UNTO ALL GOOD WORKS.
We will take a closer look at this verse to see what gems the
Word of God can enlighten us with.
Most business decisions are made by executives that worry about
the bottom line or profit. Our lives should get no less
attention. What is profitable what is not? II Tim. 3:16, 17
gives us the foundation and the purpose of the Word of God in
our lives.
Most people are interested in profit and what the Bible declared
is profitable is not always interesting or even liked by Bible
believing people. Doctrine is good and most people that are
spiritual at all enjoy some doctrine, we will call doctrine
right teaching.
Reproof that is a different animal though we may like to reprove
others, but we do not care to be reproved ourselves. The reproof
of the Word of God should be acceptable and be taken with
thankfulness.
The third thing the Bible tells us is profitable is correction.
We can correct our wrong ways by the Word. The hard part is
admitting that one is wrong and that one needs correction.
Practice is how we learn to be corrected gracefully.
Beyond correction is instruction in righteousness. God's ways
are righteous. We need to know them so we can walk in them and
so be instructed in righteousness.
The object of all profitable work of the Word as declared in
this verse is that the man of God might be perfect, perfectly
moral I think not as so many others think, but perfect in that
he can fulfill the work for which he was created.
Deuteronomy 6:5-7 THOU SHALT LOVE THE LORD THY GOD WITH ALL
THINE HEART, AND WITH ALL THY SOUL, AND WITH ALL THY MIGHT. AND
THESE WORDS SHALL BE IN THINE HEART: AND THOU SHALT TEACH THEM
DILIGENTLY UNTO THY CHILDREN, AND SHALT TALK OF THEM WHEN THOU
SITTEST IN THINE HOUSE, AND WHEN THOU WALKEST BY THE WAY, AND
WHEN THOU LIEST DOWN, AND WHEN THOU RISEST UP.
Not one person can love another person without actually knowing
that person the same is true with God. No one can truly love God
unless one knows His Word. David said, THY WORD HAVE I HID IN
MINE HEART, THAT I MIGHT NOT SIN AGAINST THEE (Psalms 119: 11).
Evidently David knew this was the counsel of God.
In the Gospels believing is the requirement for resurrection, as
John 3:16 states, it was necessary for those parents who loved
their little ones and wished that they be resurrected, to teach
them the Word as soon as they could talk and grasp it. The Word
of God was to be the main topic of conversation in the home.
Many Hebrew children memorized long passages and some even learn
all the OT from memory. It was only natural that the children
should grow up as believers. This is a profitable lesson for
today too.
Colossians 3:16 LET THE WORD OF CHRIST DWELL IN YOU RICHLY IN
ALL WISDOM; TEACHING AND ADMONISHING ONE ANOTHER IN PSALMS AND
HYMNS AND SPIRITUAL SONGS, SINGING WITH GRACE IN YOUR HEARTS TO
THE LORD.
2 Timothy 3:16,17 states that all Scripture is given by
inspiration of God, no doubt the Apostle Paul had in mind all
Scripture written up to this time. That then would include the
entire Bible as we have it today the exception being Second
Timothy, the book that Paul was writing. II Timothy also is
given by inspiration.
We note in the verse before, Paul writes in vs. 15 and that from
a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to
make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ
Jesus. Timothy up to this point had access to all the Scripture
except this one last epistle, that we being revealed to him via
Paul's writing.
All Scripture was God-breathed. We are always interested in that
which is profitable, and rightfully so. What can be more
profitable than the Scriptures that speak of the unsearchable
riches of Christ?
The Scriptures are profitable;
* For Doctrine. This refers to teaching. Our teaching
concerning the dispensation of the mystery is found in Ephesians
1-3 especially. Also much doctrine is set forth in Colossians.
* For Reproof. If we have proof, then we should have
conviction. This is the meaning of the word. The Word can only
reprove when it is believed. Reproof then comes from being
convinced of the truth.
* For Correction. This is the only place this word is used. It
means to right up again, set to rights, to restore. A fence post
holds up the fence, if it falls it must be corrected or stood up
right again so as to get the protection of the fence. The same
is with the Word of God.
* For instruction in righteousness. The word here is sometimes
translated discipline also it can mean to teach. The goal of the
instruction or teaching is to go on to righteousness. To the
Biblical Israel the righteousness of God was set forth by the
law. Today God deals with mankind righteously in grace because
of the work of His Son. We have an imputed righteousness, the
righteousness of Christ. There is also righteousness that is to
be put in practice in the daily lives of a Christian.
That the man of God may be perfect, throughly (not thoroughly)
furnished unto all good works. This is the result. It has to do
both with walk and ministering to the believers.
The daily practice of a believer who is a member of the Body of
Christ is outlined in Ephesians chapters 4 to 6. Living a walk
that is worthy of the calling of God.
Perfect in this verse II Tim. 3:17 means to be fitted, furnished
means to be equipped. So one is to be fitted and equipped for
every good work.
To make the message a little bit simpler, join the first part of
the verse and the last part in this fashion, all Scripture is
given by inspiration of God that the man of God may be perfect,
throughly furnished unto all good works.