BRINGING THE WORD TO LIFE

2 Timothy 3:16b "Scripture is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness."

Get this, last night my middle son gave me a sermon on what the Word of God is and what it can do in our lives. Seriously, I was captivated by his nine-year-old perspective. With his bed on the floor we snuggled and chatted by the night light. He opened his Bible to Psalm 38 to share a verse with me that helped him last week when he was having a hard time. Then I turned to Psalm 119 to share another verse that would benefit him. He had my full attention. He matter-of-factly tells me, "You see mom, the Bible is like a seed, because it plants God's Word in us. And, it is like a light because it shows us where to go when we are having hard times. It is also like a mirror because it shows us what we need to fix. And, the Bible is like a letter telling us where to go or what to do." Apparently someone was paying attention in Sunday School!

Although I had been aggravated just minutes before with this same son for irritating his brother, it blessed me to hear him share what God is teaching Him through His Word. As I write, I have pondered what the Word of God means to me. This really is a topic of concern for those who call themselves Christians. How we view the Bible is critical. It will reveal how we live, how we react, how we love, how we forgive, etc. Our perspective of God's Word will impact each day of our lives.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 makes several unmistakable statements regarding the usefulness of the Word of God. "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." Let's break this verse down. Remember, the usefulness of Scripture is vital to our daily lives.

In order for us to be thoroughly equipped for every good work we must be taught, rebuked, corrected and trained in righteousness. This is what we need. The Bible teaches us Truth. The Bible rebukes the lies of Satan. The Bible corrects our faulty thinking. The Bible trains us in righteousness as we prepare for each day. In order to receive this kind of instruction, we must be in the Word. Reading, studying, meditating, absorbing, and applying its' Truths grows us in righteousness. To say the Bible is useful is an understatement! The Word of God determines our standard for daily living. It is helpful and applicable to our lives by providing wisdom, direction, insight, comfort, hope, and encouragement etc.

Warren Myers says, "As we get a grip on God's Word, its Truths get a grip on us!"

Periodically our boys will ask us deeper questions. My husband and I often answer their questions with a question. One of our favorite questions to ask in response to our kids' inquiries is, "What does God's Word say about this?" Responding in this way directs our children's attention to the Bible, the authority by which we make decisions. Our hope is to teach them that the Bible is more than just a book. It is intended to be lived out.

Our lives reflect what we believe about the Word. If we believe the Bible is the infallible and inerrant Word of God and ultimate source of Truth, then our lives will demonstrate it. We should be a testimony to the authority of the Word of God. We might be the only Bible some people will ever "read." The challenge is to bring the Word to life! May our lives be a manifestation of the Word.

Heart Work:

Recognize the usefulness of the Word of God. Allow it to teach you, rebuke you, correct you, and train you in righteousness everyday.

Heart Examination:

Is the Bible helpful and useful for me or, do I think it is just an old book with stories that collects dust on my bookcase? Do I believe the Bible is the authoritative Word of God?

What does my life say about my trust in the Bible? What importance does the Word play in my daily Christian walk?

Heart Changing Word:

Psalm 119:105 (NIV) "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path."

Jeremiah 23:29 "Is not my word like fire," declares the Lord, "and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?"

Hebrews 4:12 "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."

1 Thessalonians 2:13b "When you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe."

Copyright 2010 by Hester Christensen. All rights reserved.