The Road To Pentecost #18

We continue our transformation section of The Road To Pentecost series by examining how God's Word transforms us and what we become as a result of that transformation.

In Second Timothy, Paul is writing the final words of his ministry.  They are directed towards arguably his greatest protege as well as one of his most effective churches, Ephesus.  To his most loyal and productive followers, Paul wrote these words in his last hours:

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (2 Timothy 3:16)

What a powerful verse!  It shows us the depth of the Word of God's benefits in a single sentence.  The Word is profitable for doctrine. That means it is going to help in the establishment of truth in our lives and the lives of others.  It is profitable for reproof.  That means it helps us to find the conviction to both turn ourselves to God and in how to serve His Kingdom.  It is profitable for correction.  That means it helps us to improve our lives by showing us the way to live and also by restoring us with its truth and inspiration.  It is profitable for instruction in righteousness.  This means it tells us exactly how to live according to the plan God has for us. So it reveals to us truth, helps us to turn from the world, restores and invigorates us in God's ways and then teaches us how to live the way God wants us to live. 

That's all very transforming in and of itself.  However, the scripture following that reveals much more:

That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:17)

Paul firmly establishes the full purposes of the transforming power of 2 Timothy 3:16 in 2 Timothy 3:17.  All of the profits we make from reading the Word transform us into a perfect - or complete - follower of Christ.  We are made complete through the reading of God's Word.  It fills the gaps and inadequacies of our lives with its inspiration, knowledge, understanding and wisdom.  And it helps us to be complete not just in our mind, but unto all of the good works of the Kingdom.  The Bible, when digested regularly and properly, makes us into the type of person God wants us to be, both inside and out. In that, our Road to Pentecost and the blessings of God become clear. 

Thought for the day:

The key to a perfect life is to allow the perfect Word to reveal, convict, correct and teach us what is the perfect way of living.

Think about this.  The followers of Christ, while they waited in that upper room, had perfected themselves through the Word.  They knew the Word (Peter used prophetic scripture in Acts 1 and half of his sermon in Acts 2 was based on knowledge of scripture).  They trusted God's Word when Christ said they would be filled with power from on high.  If we will do the same, we will be made into complete followers of Christ, and that will allow us to be the most effective people we could ever hope to be.