A Time And A Place For Everything

(My Original Blog Post: http://ping.fm/xxYQI)

“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, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”

II Timothy 3:16-17

In all things we should always handle it with great care and under the Spirit’s leadership.

God’s Word.

What’s that Book you hold in your hand, dear Pilgrim?

“It’s the Bible, God’s Holy Word,” one answers.

“It’s the Scriptures,” says another.  “The revealed Word of God.”



Correct.

And, today’s Manna reminds us that “ALL Scripture”. . .from the first verse of Genesis to the last verse of Revelation. . .“is given by inspiration (Grk. ‘theopneustos’—‘Divinely breathed in, a breeze, to blow upon, etc.’) of God.”  It’s the beautiful picture of God’s breathing into Adam’s nostrils “the breath of life and his becoming a living soul” (Gen. 2:7); it’s also the picture of Jesus “breathing on the disciples in the upper room and saying ‘Receive the Holy Ghost’” (Jn. 20:22).



Thus, it’s an intimate, intentional imparting by God of a part of Himself.  And, when we realize His Word is “living, powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword” (Heb. 4:12), we suddenly begin viewing it with greater respect because of the One Who speaks to us through those verses.



We should also notice God’s Word “is profitable (Grk. ‘ophelimos’—‘helpful, serviceable, advantageous, beneficial, etc.’)” for many reasons:  “For doctrine, reproof, correction, instruction in righteousness, etc.”  And, the reason we are to “study to show ourselves approved unto God as a workman that needs not to be ashamed” (II Tim. 2:15a) is so we can “rightly divide the Word of Truth” (2:15b)—i.e., properly apply it—and also become “perfect (Grk. ‘artios’—‘fresh, complete, etc.’), thoroughly furnished (Grk. ‘exartizo’—‘fully-equipped, to finish out, accomplish a task, etc.’) unto all good works.”



Oh, dear Pilgrim, never forget “To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven” (Eccl. 3:1).  In sharing God’s Word, it’s never a “one size fits all” approach (Prov. 26:4-5).  Assuredly, we are to be ready to share the “full” Gospel; yet, everyone we meet is at a different level spiritually (Heb. 5:11-14) and, therefore, we must trust the Holy Spirit to guide us in how to effectively share it.



Woe to those who wield the “Sword of the Spirit” (Eph. 6:17b) in a wholesale manner like one would a machete hacking through thick undergrowth in a jungle.  This bludgeoning approach does great damage and grieves the One by Whose Name we are called.  Much better is remembering the only thing “sharper than a two-edged sword” (Heb. 4:12) is a scalpel, which is tiny and very, very sharp.  May the Great Physician help us to know how to effectively use it so He can draw the listener to Himself instead of our driving him away by ill-advised words.

By Tom Smith Morning Manna Dated July 17, 2010