Walking in the Power of God's Wordنموونە

Day Two: The Living Word

The Apostle Paul truly knew the truth about the power of God’s Word. We see this when he writes to his mentee Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:15 and says:

"...and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus."

He labours the point that the truths in the Bible are not a means to an end, but rather a guide for life and to our eternal end, as the more we read them, the more we encounter Jesus. Paul goes on and states all that Scripture is good for. This is something to unpack in and of itself. However, it’s the notion of this phrase ‘God-breathed’ in verse 16 that it makes sense to dwell on a little more first.

This phrase ‘God-breathed’, when translated from the original Greek, simply means given by inspiration of God.’ If we take a minute to drink that in, it really does change everything, doesn’t it? What we’re currently holding in our hands or reading on our screens as we scroll are words that were inspired by God himself.

No stone is left unturned in Paul's charge as to why studying the scriptures will be of use to Timothy. Not only does he mention that it's good for "teaching," "reproof," "correction" and "training in righteousness," but he then continues by indicating that through this study "the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."

This is why the study of God's Word is so key. So often, I can be quick to put myself in the shoes of the men and women we read of in the Bible and exclaim that ‘I would never have done’ some of the things they did if Jesus was right there with me like He was with them. Except, He is. He’s with you right this moment.

Every single time we open the pages of the Bible, we are reminded of the message of Jesus in a divinely inspired way, and are encouraged to meet Him there – for His arms are open wide and everlasting. What bearing does knowing this have on our circumstances? If we’re still in a place of trying to do things in and of our strength, have we truly grasped that the very Scriptures we’re reading right now have the power to change us from the inside out because of the inspiration behind them?

Tomorrow’s devotional will be a little longer than today’s, but I hope that you’ll stick with it as it’ll give you some insight into how the Word equips us for the very lives He’s called us to.