A Treasure Chest
2 Timothy 3:16 is a little treasure chest all by itself.
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness
The Scripture is said to be useful in four ways:
(1) teaching
God’s word firstly gives us God’s standard – the clear expression of what God wants us to do, speak, think and be.
(2) rebuking
God’s word tests us. It shines into our hearts exposing where we fall short of God’s standard. In doing so it convicts and rebukes us
(3) correcting
God’s word restores us to an upright state. This is the literal meaning of “correcting.” God has no delight in leaving us condemned for falling short of His glory. He shows us we’ve fallen short but then that same word raises us to align ourselves with God’s revealed standard. God’s word has within it the power to accomplish what it commands
(4) training in righteousness
Finally, God’s word trains us. The word for “training” has two significant qualities. The first is that it describes the training of children and not adults. God knows us through and through and gently instructs us.
The second is that it describes training by act rather than word. God doesn’t stand back barking out orders. Through His word and His Holy Spirit He gets beside us, patiently but persistently working into our lives His perfect ways for us.
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