In considering a simple and practical method for living in the faith, we first turn, not surprisingly, to the Bible. There are many patterns we can extract from the scriptures which we can use as an action plan, but first we must be sure we understand how scriptures make our action possible. When speaking about the Bible we are not discussing a great philosophy on life, though many irreligious persons have admired its moral teachings.
The word of God is altogether different from the words of other authors. It goes forth in power to produce results as God intends:
For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. (Isa 55:10-11)
The Word of God is furnished by Holy Spirit. With it, we may command the tempter away from us, and through it the deep things of God are revealed to us (Mat 4:10; Eph 6:17; 1Cor 2:6-11; 1Jn 2:27). In short, the Word of God equips us for victorious service.
There is a particular verse of scripture that is concise and succinct in putting forth God’s claims regarding all scripture. We will examine this verse to look at the claims God makes about what scripture accomplishes for the Christian. In our examination we will make our exposition of key terms using Thayer’s Greek Lexicon to elaborate so as to obtain clarification. Surprisingly, it is very straight forward:
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (2Ti 3:16; terms are emphasized)
The author of all scripture is God, and here we are told of its six all encompassing attributes. It is interesting to note that in biblical numerology, six is also the number for mankind, and so we can say that this scripture explains how all scripture completes us by what it accomplishes in us, and for us.
Firstly, it accomplishes profitableness: that is, it is advantageous in being serviceable for our every help.
Secondly, it accomplishes doctrine: that is, it supplies everything we need to know and understand in order to live life in relationship with God, and with people; both saved and unsaved.
Thirdly, it accomplishes reproof: that is, it furnishes the means by which to test and to prove all things.
Fourthly, it accomplishes correction: that is, it provides the way for restoration to an upright state in life and character.
Fifthly, is accomplishes instruction: that is, it provides the whole course of training we require, from childhood through adulthood, for cultivation of our mind and morals; correcting our mistakes and curbing our passions.
Sixthly, it accomplishes righteousness: that is, it establishes one in, and restores one to, the state in which he ought to be; the condition acceptable to God. Righteousness itself has six facets in relation to mankind:
1. Integrity. 2. Virtue. 3. Purity of life. 4. Rightness.
5. Correctness of thinking. 6. Correctness of acting.
Another way of noting all of this is to say that scripture both addresses and provides the remedy for all behaviors, and motives for behaviors. Now, we must ask: why all this? Or, in light of what scripture accomplishes for us, what are we to accomplish?
The next verse explains clearly:
That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (2Ti 3:17; terms are emphasized)
God tells us that all of this is accomplished by His word that the Christian may be equipped to serve Him by carrying out those duties which He directs us to perform.
To be perfect in this sense means: to have been completely and perfectly fitted with special aptitudes for a given use.
To thoroughly furnish means: to provide for accomplishment by furnishing that which is required completely and perfectly. We may also conclude that nothing is lacking nor can, or should be, added to the completeness of the Christian for service accomplished by the Bible. We may also conclude that Christians capable of being in service are in such a state that their continued edification and repair is also accomplished by the ministering of the word of God.
To all good works means: all good, pleasant, agreeable, joyful, happy, useful, cheerful, honorable, upright, and excellent tasks and endeavors for which one is occupied in business, employment, or enterprise to provide any service, produce any product, or render by hand in the performance of any acts and deeds whatsoever.
This is completely comprehensive. From the sinner accepting Christ, entering into service, and maturing in the faith; the Bible is sufficient for cultivating our minds and morals, and correcting our motives and behavior.
This is the time to ask a question. What, then, is lacking? Let’s rephrase the question. Must God have waited patiently for thousands of years, and over centuries into the church age, until psychologists could rescue Him from insufficiency? Let’s be specific. Was it only after Freud, Jung, Ellis, and others developed their therapies that the Christian could finally be made whole, and equipped as God had originally hoped for? Should God thank evolution in finally creating these men by a process He had no control over?
We see the absurdity of these ideas by posing them as questions in light of the facts we glean from the scriptures, and with very little effort to do so.
Now, seeing the Word of God is our sufficiency in all these areas, is there anything that we can do to see to it that all these things are accomplished in us? Well, of course, the first thing would be to stay in the word so that by the washing of the water of the word we continue towards perfection (Eph 5:26). There is also a practical and very simple step we can take to both aid in this process and experience exponential spiritual growth.
