What Is Wrong?

But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. 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 3.14-17]

But, what if what we have been taught is wrong? How would we know?

Paul matter-of-factly pointed out to Timothy that he had been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood. Furthermore, Paul pointed out that the Scriptures Timothy had been taught specifically led him to Christ.

The importance of Scripture is Jesus. Without Jesus, the Scriptures have little effect on anyone's life. 

It is important to understand that the Scriptures Paul referred to would have included the writings of Moses, the Psalms, and the Prophets (it is likely the Proverbs of Solomon would have been included in this as well). What we know as the New Testament was only just being written at this time. And yet, Paul reminded Timothy that Scriptures (what we today call the Old Testament) gave Timothy wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.

Here is something Jesus said that brings clarity to this:

You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! [John 5.39]

The point I am making is that the message of all true Scripture points to Jesus. All the information in the Bible is of no consequence unless Jesus is central to it. This should help us understand the significance of what John recorded about Jesus:

In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. [John 1.1-5]

And, on further in, John wrote:

So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son. [John 1.14]

What we are taught here is that Jesus IS the Word of God. Therefore, the purpose of Scripture - or, more succinctly, Jesus - is 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.

We must realize that Jesus is not just all "feel-good religion" to us - He makes us realize what is wrong with our lives and shows us how to get it right.

Our subject passage begins above with the word "but," so it would behoove us to understand Paul's use of that grammatical conjunction and what it refers to. Here it is:

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! They are the kind who work their way into people’s homes and win the confidence of vulnerable women who are burdened with the guilt of sin and controlled by various desires. (Such women are forever following new teachings, but they are never able to understand the truth.) These teachers oppose the truth just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses. They have depraved minds and a counterfeit faith. But they won’t get away with this for long. Someday everyone will recognize what fools they are, just as with Jannes and Jambres. But you, Timothy, certainly know what I teach, and how I live, and what my purpose in life is. You know my faith, my patience, my love, and my endurance. You know how much persecution and suffering I have endured. You know all about how I was persecuted in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra—but the Lord rescued me from all of it. Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil people and impostors will flourish. They will deceive others and will themselves be deceived. [2 Timothy 3.1-13]

What Paul describes here is the condition of Scripture-less people (aka: Jesus-less people). It never ceases to amaze me, how accurate Paul's description in the passage above is to today's society. The dead giveaway is this: They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. While there is a church on nearly every street corner in the USA, there is little to no manifestation of God's unmistakable, undeniable power. Otherwise, the Church today would make as notable an impact on society as did Jesus! Powerless religion is nothing but counterfeit faith. Let that sink in... If religious institutions today were genuinely focused on Scripture - on Jesus, they would be learning what is wrong and what it right, how not to live and how to live, and be carrying on the ministry of Jesus with every evidence Jesus said would/should accompany and attest to it.

And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned. These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in new languages. They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won’t hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed.” [Mark 16.15-18]

So, IS what we have been taught wrong? Our answer is found in the manifestation or the absence of Jesus, the Word. The Bible is clear. However religion, in face-saving self-defense has necessarily confused people with every religious excuse why God's power (Jesus, the Word) is not prevalent today. They act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Oh, they are content with preaching and teaching Jesus in "word." But their message falls apart when it comes to preaching and teaching Jesus in "deed." They must necessarily choke on Jesus' words:

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]

Let's just "call a spade a spade," shall we? This passage from John 14 is the elephant in the room for most "Christian" institutions today (as it should be). As Paul instructed Timothy however, it will only be corrected when the Church deals with the implication of its powerless counterfeit faith state resultant to the famine of God's Word within its people.

The Scriptures teach us "Jesus" in ALL His fulness. Anything less puts us in the same category with those described in 2 Timothy 3.1-13.

People need God's Word. However, in today's society, people are simply too busy with other things.

Father, save us from ourselves and the distractions that prevent us from knowing Your Word - Jesus - as we should (evidenced with Your power). The Scripture-less Church is the worst pandemic to ever hit planet earth. May Jesus become our savior ...for real.