God’s Word – Holy Scriptures
God’s words are holy and given to mankind for teaching us to know His purpose for our lives. This knowledge is to be put into practice by our deeds and acts of service that are pleasing to God. As Paul wrote in his letter to Timothy, “All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, that the man (and woman) of God may be adequately equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17.
How is Holy scriptures profitable for correction? There are many examples of scripture that provide us with the need for correction in our lives. We need this correcting for the renewing of our minds and growth of our spiritual gifts that we receive from God. The harm that sin does to a person is evident in the actions and words that will be seen in the character of him or her. We know how important it is to provide correction to children whose behavior is wrong. We are children of God and need correction from our Heavenly Father. We know that bad habits can be hard to break, but we are called to make the changes. Peter writes to all believers in saying “as obedient children do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior.” Peter 1:14-15 The world has many, many temptations that are easily delivered to us via the internet, or TV, or evil people who seek to lead one astray. We can even let our past sins haunt us if we have not seeked repentance. Correction is needed for all of us.
It is never easy to bring about change to old habits that have been ingrained, but with the help of our loving Father we can. It takes effort and discipline to gain anything that is good and helpful. I am rarely excited about getting on a stationary bicycle to pedal the miles for working the heart or the repetitions on the weight machines to help maintain “some muscle”. Just like maintaining the health of our bodies, we need to be willing and want change for our minds and actions. We can be thankful we have the promise of the help of the Holy Spirit to make a change. Just as Paul told the Hebrews that God can “ equip us in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight.” Hebrews 13:21 I think the key part of that scripture is “that which is pleasing to God.” God will be angered by behavior that is not honoring Him or when we don’t give Him thanks. We only have to read Romans 1:20-32 to see what happens to mankind if we do not only seek the one true God. If we are in a world that no longer acknowledges God as the creator with “His attributes, eternal power and divine nature”, then God will continue to “give us over to a depraved mind, to do the things which are not proper, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed…..”. Romans 1: 28-29
So how do we acknowledge and accept the correction and reproof of God? We will continue this next week….
A couple of songs: