Tag: Man of God

Posted in Bible study, Devotion, Firm Foundation, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time

The Authority of Scripture

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based on the LGG Study, Firm Foundation / w5d3

Scripture: (Read and SOAP) 2 Timothy 3:16-17 and 2 Peter 1:20-21

Every scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the person dedicated to God may be capable and equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:16-17

Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding, 21 or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God.

2 Peter 1:20-21
Observation from the Journey

While I enjoyed spending time chasing the ‘Scripture squirrel’ that you’ll find below, I would be remiss if I didn’t zero in on today’s key element to a firm foundation of our faith – that being that “all Scripture” – every Word that is written in the Bible – is inspired by God. Consider these words from today’s LGG Journal entry to understand why I believe If we do not believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God and treat it as such – we not only waste our time reading it, but we1 dishonor God and 2 do ourselves an injustice.

  1. “The Bible is not merely a collection of human writings but the very Word of God. … It highlights God’s power and love to create humanity and redeem His people through His Son in order that we may be restored to a right relationship with Him.” The journal also points out that “It’s through Scripture that we receive spiritual nourishment and guidance for our daily lives.”
  2. “As believers, we are called to immerse ourselves in God’s Word. It is through reading, studying, meditating on, and memorizing Scripture that we open our hearts to hear God’s voice. The Bible reveals God’s character, His promises, and His plan for our lives, drawing us into a deeper relationship with Him.”

Application: Living out the Journey

We would do well to live out the Word of God, “aligning our lives with biblical truths.”1 Solomon explained to his son that he should pay attention to the words Solomon was sharing with/teaching him. He encouraged him to let them penetrate his heart and not let them out of his sight – saying that the words would bring life to those who find them and health to their whole body.2

When we are dedicated to God – we spend time with Him in His Word, and when this happens, we are being trained and prepared for righteous living. It also offers correction when we are wrong. As the writer of Hebrews puts it – “The Word of God is alive and active, sharper than any double-edged sword …” Why? Because it is inspired … given … and breathed out by the true and living creator God.3

ME🦋

The Scripture Squirrel I chased today:

I have used a variety of translations with today’s passage from 2 Timothy. to show that they are all nearly identical. This is especially true with the opening statement that All Scripture is inspired by God. I remember learning these two verses in high school in Mrs. Hall’s English class. She was one of my favorite teachers, fostering in me the love of words and the art of writing. She is also one of the reasons I worked on memorizing God’s Word, as it was a weekly requirement. We had to use the KJV then, so that is how I first learned these verses; however, since then, I have memorized it in the NIV translation, but I am now determined to work on the NET version – because of the one highlighted phrase below (See the NET bullet point).

  • NLT: 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. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work
  • KJV:  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
  • ESV: All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
  • NET: Every scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the person dedicated to God may be capable and equipped for every good work.
  • NIV: All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work

There are not a lot of differences between the translations, as you can see. However, the NET is used in our study journals, and the words in verse seventeen captured my attention as Paul’s reasoning for the usefulness of God’s Word is translated as “that the person dedicated to God (or ‘the man/servant of God,”) may be capable and equipped for every good work.” All the other translations mean the same thing but there’s something about the way the NET defines “a man of God” as “the person dedicated to God…” – As I read the words in the journal, I jotted down these words in the margin: “When we are dedicated to God – we spend time with Him in His Word, and when this happens, we are being trained and prepared for righteous living. It also offers correction when we are wrong. As the writer of Hebrews puts it – “The Word of God is alive and active, sharper than any double-edged sword …” Why? Because it is inspired … given … and breathed out by the true and living creator God.3” – Friends, if we are dedicated to God and His inspired Word, we will forever be growing in faith and grace and deeper in love with Him.

Friends, if we are dedicated to God and His inspired Word, we will forever be growing in faith and grace and deeper in love with Him.

ME🦋
Prayer of Response to the Journey -from the LGG Journal

Dear Jesus, thank You for the gift of Your Word. Help me to understand its authority and read it daily. Use Your Word to teach, correct, and train me in righteousness. May it nourish my soul and transform my life as I seek to know You more deeply. In Your name – Amen.

The More We Know

For more insight, please be sure to read today’s LGG Blog