God's Inspired Word

II Timothy 3:14-4:5

I love to read.  Just a quick glance through my house, and you will see that is true, as there are books everywhere.  I have a number of favorite books, which I have read several times over. Much as I love them, I would never claim that they were inspired, though.  They are just good, well-written novels. Nothing divine about them. However, that is not the case with the most beloved Book we have, the Holy Scriptures, the Bible.  In our Scripture passage today, from the Apostle Paul’s letter to Timothy, we read where Paul declares that all of Scripture is inspired, and the Word of God.

So what does this passage mean?  Paul clearly states that the Bible is divinely inspired (vs. 16).  The word inspired here means “God breathed”. God was involved in every detail that was written.  God revealed His words to certain believers who wrote down His message for His people. He chose these faithful people to communicate His message to the world.  These writers wrote from their own personal, historical, and cultural context, using their own talents, language, and style, but they wrote the words God wanted them to.  The Bible is completely trustworthy because God is its true Author.

The Bible is the written record of God’s work throughout history.  It shows His nature, plan, and purpose, so we can put our trust in Him.  We can know how to live by following what He has said in His Word. Through these human writers God gave us His Word to instruct us, to guide us, and to hold us steady and true in times of trouble (vs. 16-17).  The Bible was given to us for our spiritual growth. The Holy Spirit uses God’s Word to rebuke and correct us when we sin, to train us in righteousness, to equip us to do His Will, and to shape us into the image of Jesus.  The Bible is life’s final authority, the last word on issues pertaining to God and His will. Nothing can supercede the authority of Scripture. It perfectly expresses the decrees and judgments of God. When the Scriptures speak, God speaks.  Through the work of the Holy Spirit the Bible will show us our sin, the need for salvation, and how we should live. It is the only source to show us how to be saved. Also, the Scriptures are a safeguard against false teachers, which leads us to the next thing Paul taught in our passage.

As Paul warned Timothy and us, a time will come, and we see it even today, when people reject the truth of God’s Word (vs. 3-4).  He warned that godlessness and evil will increase as the end draws near. People will follow false teachers who will teach them what they want to hear.  They pick and choose what they want to believe. They follow ungodly teachers who preach messages contrary to the Word of God. These preachers will even persecute true believers.  As we see today, there are many people who will not tolerate the preaching of God’s Word. They flock to those who preach only what they want to hear.  Don’t be fooled by religious leaders who sound wise by the world’s standards, but whose teaching is contrary to the Word of God.

Because of this, Paul urged Timothy to be faithful in preaching God’s Word (vs. 1-2).  He warned and encouraged Timothy, and us as well, to teach the Scriptures soundly. We must guard against deceit by knowing what the Bible teaches.  The faithful preacher must proclaim the Word when it is popular and convenient, and when it is not. They must bring both good and comforting messages, and also the hard rebuking of sin.  It is important for believers to spread the Gospel. That is the most important responsibility the Church has been given. We should always be ready to give a witness and a message from the Word of God.

In conclusion, the Bible is the final authority for our faith and what God’s children should believe.  The Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, believed the Scriptures as the Word of God, and frequently quoted them.  God’s Word is indestructible. Many men and governments have tried to suppress and destroy the Bible, but have failed.  God’s Word still stands!