All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. [2 Timothy 3.16-17]
I sometimes feel bad for being so hard in what I write. It has been said that I see things only one way and make no allowance for other opinions. While I regret coming across harshly at times, I do not regret standing on the Word of God and faithfully calling out doubt, fear, unbelief and rebellion.
The passage above from today's OYCB reading does little to inspire me to change. In fact, it only further fuels the fire in me to continue to stand on the truth of God's Word and do so more fervently. Why? Because God's Word teaches us what is true and makes us realize what is wrong with our lives! It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right! In so doing, God's Word prepares and equips us to do every good work.
Christianity is not about being comfortable. It is about conforming and doing every good work that can only be done as God's Word prepares and equips us. And how does God's Word do that? I repeat: it teaches us what is true and makes us realize what is wrong with our lives so we might correct what is wrong (conform) and do what is right as it teaches.
While the Word may indeed bring comfort to us, it only does so as we are found in every good work. And, again, every good work can only be accomplished as the Word corrects what is wrong in us and teaches us to do what is right. This really cannot be repeated enough... Comfort only comes as we conform to Christ, and even then, fallen nature and persecution still remain relentless against us while on earth.
What is every good work? It is everything Jesus did, and more.
“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. [John 14.12]
In a world gone Godless, even the basic love of Jesus is rarely seen (let alone His power and miracles). Everything Jesus taught about genuine love had to do with putting others first, even to the point of laying down one's life for others. Sadly, the only love most understand today is the love and preservation of themselves. There is simply no way to advance to any of Jesus' works when the genuine love-basis for such works is missing.
It is not ironic that in this same letter to Timothy, before the opening passage above, Paul said this:
You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that! [2 Timothy 3.1-5]
So this is why Paul so emphatically said that Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
Church, EVERY GOOD WORK is NOT being seen among us today! We talk about it, write about it, sing about it, and even pray about it, but Jesus' works remain out of reach. Why? Because we would rather God's Word confirm us in our present self-centeredness rather than teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives AS IT WAS DESIGNED TO DO!
If we really look into the Word of God, we should come to realize our shortcomings (sin), right? Then our most typical and regular response when reading, hearing, singing, or praying the Word should be conformity that begins with REPENTANCE! There it is.
Father, I never want to be hard-hearted or mean - please forgive me when and where I have done so. Help me however to be forceful and unrelenting with the Truth of Your Word. May I never be found cowering to the ungodly and faithless opinions of those who are and wish only to be comfortable in their religion without conforming to Jesus. So be it.
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