Saturday, January 13, 2007
2. What rule has God given to direct us how to glorify and enjoy him?
The Word of God, which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him.
In 2 Timothy 3:10-17, Paul writes to young Timothy to remind him of the importance of God's word and of its importance in his life. Just like Timothy's mother and grandmother who would have most probably followed Jewish custom in teaching him the Law from the age of 5, we have a responsibility to teach our children knowledge and application of the Bible to equip them with that sword of the Spirit (Eph 6:17).
I am told that bank tellers are given only real bank notes initially when they are trained to check for forgeries. When I first learned to examine people, I listened only to normal hearts and lungs before being let loose on real people with real diseases. In the same way, it is only by having a good knowledge of the Word of God and by studying it that we can then recognise false teachings or ideas and test what we hear or read against the truth (1 Tim 1:6-7).
There are warnings against adding to the Gospel (Gal 1:8-9), a trait that is so easy for any of us to fall into. Legalism is sometimes a struggle for my own denomination. In others, there may a tendency to universalism, belitting the work of Christ. It is almost as if we believe the Gospel couldn't possibly be as simple as it appears!
As we study the Bible, we can know that it is inspired by God written down by men "as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit" (2 Peter 1:21). This gives it authority as the inerrant, infallible revelation of God in the world. It is sufficient for us, teaching us everything we need to know for salvation and to guide us to godliness until we join with the true and living Word in heaven.
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
In 2 Timothy 3:10-17, Paul writes to young Timothy to remind him of the importance of God's word and of its importance in his life. Just like Timothy's mother and grandmother who would have most probably followed Jewish custom in teaching him the Law from the age of 5, we have a responsibility to teach our children knowledge and application of the Bible to equip them with that sword of the Spirit (Eph 6:17).
I am told that bank tellers are given only real bank notes initially when they are trained to check for forgeries. When I first learned to examine people, I listened only to normal hearts and lungs before being let loose on real people with real diseases. In the same way, it is only by having a good knowledge of the Word of God and by studying it that we can then recognise false teachings or ideas and test what we hear or read against the truth (1 Tim 1:6-7).
There are warnings against adding to the Gospel (Gal 1:8-9), a trait that is so easy for any of us to fall into. Legalism is sometimes a struggle for my own denomination. In others, there may a tendency to universalism, belitting the work of Christ. It is almost as if we believe the Gospel couldn't possibly be as simple as it appears!
As we study the Bible, we can know that it is inspired by God written down by men "as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit" (2 Peter 1:21). This gives it authority as the inerrant, infallible revelation of God in the world. It is sufficient for us, teaching us everything we need to know for salvation and to guide us to godliness until we join with the true and living Word in heaven.
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
Labels: bible study, catechism
4 Comments:
My denomination tends toward universalism, but my personality leans toward legalism. I have to remember that God's way is straight and narrow, which doesn't necessarily mean complicated. Very narrow would also be very simple.
Your writing always challenges me to think Keziah, and that is a good thing. We attend saturday evening service at our church, and tonight our Pastor was talking about temptation. He said that he has a very simple approach to the Word. He simply takes everything in it on faith, reads it to find the instruction it contains for him, and then endeavors to live it out. He said others have a more intellectual approach - looking for all the hidden meanings,etc. But for him - just to read it and do what it says is enough.
I believe that is a vey wise approach. I love to take scripture apart and try to "figure it all out" - but the living it out. Ah - that's the difficult part.
Thank you so much for sharing your heart and your thoughts.
Have a blessed sunday.
I love reading your posts Keziah. It's wonderful to reread the questions on the Shorter Catechism and refresh my memory and your comments are so thought provoking. I also enjoyed reading about your role as 'aunt' and I'm glad you're able to mentor these younger ones - it is so important. I have been a long distance aunt but am looking forward to being an involved grandmother especially as the little one (due in two weeks) will be living close by. Celebrating abundance in our lives can also extend to relationships.
I am so glad that this is some small help to others - it really is just me thinking out loud!
Post a Comment
<< Home