The Life Manual/Directions

"All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness--so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Can you imagine trying to do or fix anything without a manual or set of directions of how it worked or could be fixed? You'd try, probably try again, and if you hadn't succeeded after the hundredth try, chances are, you'd probably give up...I know I would.

When God called us to live lives set-apart, holy and in obedience to Him, He didn't leave us empty handed. He didn't call us to something we had no way of understanding, or without the "manual" or "directions" on how to succeed. He gave us a life manual, His very Word, God-breathed and perfectly inspired, in order that we might live for Him!

I know I take His Word for granted far too often. I live in a country where I can own a Bible in my own home, where I can speak about the Bible in public forums without being afraid of being martyred, where I can hold countless commentaries and versions or access them at any moment on the world wide web. I have the Word, the life manual He has given me, and yet the question begs, do I BELIEVE that it is what it claims to be...my life manual? Do I truly believe that it is inspired by the very God of all, that it is profitable for teaching, for rebuking and correcting, for training me up in holiness? Do I believe that it is the very thing God uses to complete us, to equip us, to sustain us? And if I say I do, does it show?

I know that I need it each day, just to get by, so do I indulge in it?

I know that I grow from it with each word, so do I meditate upon it throughout the day?

I know that I find peace and joy and hope in it, so do I run to it when discouraged?

I know that I get strength through it, so do I fall down on my knees in weakness and cry out to be filled?

I know it is the fuel my Spirit burns, so do I burn for it?

I know it is the very words of God, instructing my every step, but do I know it and listen and obey it?

Grace gems had a wonderful little devotional by J.R. Miller that reminds us to be in the Word that blessed me, and I hope will do the same for you:

Paul has no uncertain word about the inspiration of the Scriptures. The Bible alone is the Word of God. Holy men wrote it as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. There are other good books in the world--but none like the Word of God.

We ought to read the Bible reverently--since God speaks to us in its pages.

We ought to believe it--for His Word must be absolutely true.

We should obey it--since what God commands must be right.

We may yield our whole life to its influence--to be guided and fashioned by it.

Scripture is profitable for teaching--that is, for instruction in all matters that concern life.

It is profitable for rebuking--it shows us our sins, our follies, our mistakes.

It is profitable for correcting--to bring us back from wrong ways to right ways.

It is profitable for training in righteousness--it gives us instruction for all true and beautiful living.

"So that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." The purpose of the Bible is to make complete men of us. If we follow it in everything--it will show us the right way, it will reveal to us the perfect ideal of Christian character, it will inspire us to holy living.

May we believe and act upon that, and get in the Word and treasure it for what it is!