“[16] Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God's will in thought, purpose, and action).” 2 Timothy 3:16 AMPC
There are people who claim that there are contradictions in the accounts of events laid out in the Bible. There has to be some amazing power behind the bible that even with different versions that have been produced through the centuries, the truths of the Word of God have not been changed or successfully challenged. That is consistency. That is power of a kind that the world cannot explain. The verse above starts with this very incontrovertible fact: all Scripture, even the parts that make you uncomfortable, is God-breathed. It is God who ordered the total destruction of a nation, and He also is the One who showed mercy to another nation simply because it showed mercy to His people.
The verse above also makes it clear that the words we read in the Bible are given by God's inspiration. Mortal men, with their limitations and weaknesses, were moved by an amazing and extraordinary God to put down the words we read today. These mortal men are like us, not spirits. They were not perfect all at once, but God used them as and when He pleased, to lay out His perfect plan for all mankind. The perfect God is the only One who can use the imperfect to bring perfection to all who put their trust in God. Reflect on the truth that right from the place of man's first sin was the place of God's redemption plan. The mind of God is revealed by what He has laid down. It will be very profitable for me to know God's mind and live by what He shows me.
That is the value of the latter part of the verse above. All that God says has an assignment to work out in my life. There will be times when what I need is instruction for daily living. There will be times when reproof and conviction of sin is what I need at a specific time, as correction of error and discipline in obedience. There will also be times when I need training in righteousness, to know how to live in holiness and in conformity to God's will in thought, purpose and action. What area of life does God not cover? What challenge does God not have a solution for? What life question can exist that the word of God does not have an answer for? The eternal God has made His will known; He waits for us. How do you respond? God's time of favour is here.
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