Profit!

Profit!

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 2 Timothy 3:16 KJV

What do I think is God's guide to the world he has placed me in? What has he provided as a navigational tool or compass for this life? I believe the answer is the Bible. We call it by different names, but there is no doubt that it is God's tool for changing lives, which in turn will change the family, community, nation and the world in general. And it is also important to note that no part of it is unimportant or irrelevant; ALL of scripture, whether the old or the new testament, is prescribed by God as the solution to the malaise of the world. I cannot pick and choose the lovely parts like Songs of Solomon, and ignore other parts that speak of judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah. God is a balanced God; he loves and judges in equal measure, and His Word is the guide into his heart. 

The One who inspired its contents is the only one who can explain it. This is one area where human intellect, wisdom, tact and grammar are of no use. The letters are stories, providing information to all who read them, but if I want to move from information to inspiration, I need the help of the One who is the Mind behind the Words. Information is good, but what is the relevant of it if I do not know how it affects me, what it calls me to do, and when it is best to act on it? That is the grace of inspiration, where I get to know what God is saying to me per time. I don't rely on someone else's experience; God wants to give me my own. The same information that makes one man panic is the same information that brings comfort to another. It all rests on the inspiration that information brings. The letter indeed kills, because ordinary words cannot give life. It is the Spirit behind the words that can give life, and it is He who I must go to, daily, to get the life I require to impact my world. 

Interestingly, the word 'profitable' is used for scripture. It seems to mean that if I apply the word to my lfie life in the proper way, I make profit. I am careful to define profit here, because profit always means that there was an investing, a sowing, a commitment to make time for something to grow. It will not happen by accident; but by deliberate action. This generation loves profit without work, and gain without pain. Nowwhre in Scripture does God present himself as a magician, but as a miracle worker. He can cause fruit to blossom where none existed, but he needs my hands and heart to be committed to service. He can command a fish to pay temple tax for himself and his disciples, but someone had to cast the hook to pick the fish. He can feed 5000 men with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fishes, but someone had to give up his lunch. There are times when God will of his own freewill give something that is unusual, but do not ever doubt the power of silent, secret sowing and preparation, away from the eyes and attention of men. 

I must therefore learn what this profit is, so I can fashion my life in line with its requirements. It is not profit from the perspective of currency, but profit that leads to eternal life. Scripture provides the seed I can sow and invest so I can make a profit. How would I make a profit? By applying Scripture the right way to all of my life's challenges and situations. The Scripture is multidimensional; check out all the things it can do: teach doctrine, reproof, correct and instruct in righteousness. It has laid the right foundation for who God is and what he demands from us, and then when we go wrong, it corrects us, without respect to what we have done in the past or what we may be doing now. 

When there is false information, it is the standard of truth, against which no other contrary thing can stand. It is the standard of righteousness laid down by God, by which all men will be judged. The mind of God is made clear by scripture, and the terms of judgment also made clear. I have been told who God is, what he expects from me, and how he intends that I should walk with him. His love is laid down; his law is made clear; his mercy is shown clearly and his judgment also clearly laid out. I have no excuse, and I cannot plead ignorance. There are now many versions of the Bible, in all sorts of languages, which can be downloaded and even read online. As God gives grace of access, I must take advantage and find out God's mind. It will keep me from sin, and make my life presentable and acceptable to God. The end of it all is eternity; I do not want to get to the end of my life and discover that I had pursued the wrong priorities. God's time of favour is here.