Fully furnished by the inspired Word

Disgusting

I find it difficult sometimes to follow the logic of some preachers laying out scripture as if they do not have the Holy Spirit to guide them.

The law preacher will always find law in the Bible, even if there is none. But don’t you dare talk about the grace of God! That will be blaspheme, for sure!

Untwisting

During the course of the week I was again sensitized about how that Scripture is good for guidance and good fellowship … but it is not a rule, or a recipe, and certainly not a law unto salvation.

2 Timothy 3:14 to 17 in one such case in point:

Paul writes to his spiritual son, Timothy and encourages him with words of encouragement …

But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Here is what take for my own furnishing 

Notes to self:

1.  Paul does not say that Timothy should stick to what he was taught no matter what. He encourages him to move on and consider who he learned it from, including the fact that that person might have had it wrong or possibly only partially right. Timothy should take for himself those things that he had been assured of (by the Holy Spirit) - again knowing Whom he learned it from.

2. Paul motivates Timothy with the fact that the Holy Scriptures are able to make him wise onto the law and leading a perfect life? No! Wise unto Jesus!

3. Then this verse that the law-preachers always get wrong: All scripture is given by inspiration of God. They corrupt this verse until it suites their twisted follow-the-law-or-else-plan. No! Paul is saying that all Scripture is for us to benefit from Jesus. He is our doctrine (didaskalia – teacher) our reproof (elegchos – evidence, conviction), our correction (epanorthōsis – restoration, improvement), our instruction (paideia – nurturing, cultivation of the mind, care, upbringing) … And then the important part in righteousness (to show off our righteousness founded in Jesus)!

4. That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. So that if we don not follow this we may be condemned? No! So that we may be fully furnished and show off Jesus!

What's the impact on me?

I become perfect! Just like Perfection Himself.

Just like Jesus!

As He is …

Glory to Jesus!