Day 10 – The Purpose of Scriptures
(2 Tim 3:13-17) But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. (13) But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; (14) 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. (15) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (16) That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (17)
In these five verses, we learn from the Apostle Paul what is going on with God’s Word. Even in his day, Paul sees that the devil is busy working through evil men to corrupt the Word.
What do we learn from these verses? Let’s take a look:
1. There were and will be attempts to corrupt the Scriptures:
Verse 14 starts with the word “But.” But what? Paul tells Timothy to continue in those things which he learned and that is undoubt-able in his mind because Timothy learned them from his mother and grandmother as well as from Paul – from the Word of God. So back to the word “But.” I believe that Paul is telling Timothy that evil men will come along and try to deceive by changing the Word but that Timothy should continue in what he has learned and not believe their lies and deceptions. I believe that these seducers were changing God’s Word (including trying to corrupt the letters Paul, and others, had written) but Timothy had learned them so well in his youth and they were confirmed in Paul through the Word.
Have you ever heard how a bank teller is taught to recognize counterfeit money? It is not by looking at counterfeit bills. It is by actually handling, touching, and looking closely at the real thing that educates the teller. Once they have handled real money, they can more easily spot a counterfeit. It is the same with God’s Word. If you are in the true Word of God, you can spot a phony – you can spot changes and heresies. My friend, how can you believe that God created the universe and is in control of all things yet you cannot believe that He can preserve His Word throughout the ages? You limit God by believing such things.
2. The Scriptures lead to salvation:
Paul goes on to say that these Scriptures were what led Timothy to salvation. It stands to reason the corrupted text from these evil men and seducers would not lead someone to salvation but lead away from salvation. These same evil men were once deceived and now they deceive others – getting worse and worse in their beliefs. In fact, some are down right militant. They are totally convinced now that God’s Word is not in written form today! Again, this limits God’s power and ability, doesn’t it?
The various versions out there take away references to the “blood of Christ,” its saving power, Christ’s deity, etc. All in the name of preserving the originals. How deceived they are! It is through God’s perfect Word that salvation can be found. (Rom 10:16) But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? (Rom 10:17) So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. It is the complete Gospel of Jesus Christ that saves – His virgin birth, His sinless life, His death on the cross as atonement for our sins, His resurrection, and He sits at the right hand of the Father awaiting His return to reign.
3. All Scripture is inspired of God:
Verse 15 does not say just the Old Testament but all Scriptures are inspired by God. The Apostle Paul was inspired of God to write much of the New Testament. We owe much of our Christian walk today to what God has communicated to us through Paul’s letters. Because his letters were divinely inspired, they are considered Holy Scriptures just as much as the Old Testament.
The Holy Spirit spoke through men and reminded them of what Christ had taught them. (Joh 16:13) Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. (Joh 16:14) He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. and (2Pe 1:19) We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: (2Pe 1:20) Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. (2Pe 1:21) For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. Therefore, all Scriptures were breathed into men that God had anointed for the sole purpose of preserving His Word.
How can we limit God, then? Is anything too hard for God? The Word responds with a resounding “No”! (Gen 18:14) Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son. (Jer 32:17) Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee: (Jer 32:27) Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?
I love the fact that it is stated three times in the Scriptures that nothing is too hard for the Lord. The number three symbolizes the godhead and completion. Isn’t that something? God is completely capable of preserving His Word, my friend. Why is it that man says God is omnipotent in one breath but in another breath he says that God cannot keep His Word from being corrupted through the ages?
4. Scriptures are profitable for doctrine:
According to Noah Webster, doctrine is defined “to teach.” The Word of God instructs us on who God is and what His will is for us. The Word teaches us that God is eternal and He has provided salvation through Jesus Christ. His Word centers around Christ, His complete work of the cross and His reign to come. It starts in the Garden of Eden and ends with His reign in Revelation 22. Is it any wonder that one of Christ’s names is the Alpha and Omega? The beginning and the end! Amen! His Word is eternal – His Word is from the foundations of the earth! There is no changing it – there is no removing it – every single letter from God’s Word will be fulfilled – it is that important. (Mat 5:17) Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. (Mat 5:18 ) For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. If Christ Himself said that every jot and tittle would be fulfilled (every single letter of every single word), then each word is that important!
5. Scriptures are for reproof:
Again, Noah Webster defines reproof as “Blame expressed to the face; censure for a fault; reprehension.” The Word exposes our sin to us and shows us our errors – and teaches us how to change and what to do. We can also use it to exhort others in the faith or to lead the unsaved to a saving knowledge of Christ.
I am currently conversing with a staunch catholic who is totally convinced that we “fundy-mentals” twist the Scriptures to mean what we want it to mean. But to him I respond, (Mat 15:3) But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? The catholic church transgresses God’s commandments (purgatory, mariology, various degrees of sin, pope’s infallibility) by its traditions. Sadly, this dear catholic man will not see the Truth because he has been blinded. He has been deceived by evil men and seducers. They have managed to convince this precious soul that he can do something … anything to help his salvation along – that Christ’s precious blood is not enough to completely wipe his sins away. Instead, he has bought into the seducers lies that there’s more to salvation and they are trying to corrupt the Word of the Living God so this soul cannot find true salvation. But I have news for these evil men – God is able to preserve His Word and salvation can still be found in its blessed pages.
Just an after thought on this – how many “wrong” traditions does it take before one leaves a church that teaches such things? These catholic doctrines are not just how short someone’s hair should be or how long a dress a woman should wear. These are the fundamentals of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Their church traditions and magisterium supersede the Word of God. Where does one turn to for authority when there is conflicting information in the catholic church? Sadly, they do not turn to the Word of God because they believe it has been corrupted by man. Again, sadly they put God in a box saying He is not powerful enough to protect His precious Word throughout the ages.
6. Scriptures are for correction:
Mr. Webster defines correction as “The act of correcting; the act of bringing back, from error or deviation, to a just standard, as to truth, rectitude, justice or propriety; as the correction of opinions or manners.” Therefore, the Scriptures bring the fallen back to the truth (the Just Standard, if you will) – it corrects false ideas, traditions and mistaken views. What better “measuring stick” to use to see if a certain religion is right. Is the religion you hold dear based on the truth or on false ideas or even tradition?
“Oh, but my church only believes a couple of things that can’t be found in the Bible.” How much yeast do you need to make dough rise? It only takes a little but yet you can make an entire loaf of bread rise. The Word says (Gal 5:7) Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? (Gal 5:8 ) This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you. (Gal 5:9) A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. Paul acknowledges that the Galatians did run well at one point. However, someone/something stopped them from obeying the truth! Paul likened it to yeast – he said that a little leaven leavens the whole lump. Therefore, some unsound doctrine (or tradition of man) made its way into the church at Galatia and they were side tracked and it was corrupting the whole lump. To me, that would mean even the pastors were side tracked and teaching wrong doctrine. One must be careful which church one picks. He must be certain that their “just standard” is the Word of God and not “thus saith the councils or priest/minister.”
So I beg you today to dig into the Bible for yourself. Don’t just listen to the preacher – don’t just listen to the minister – don’t just listen to the priest. Pattern yourself after God’s Word – it will make you wise. (2Ti 3:15) 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.
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