Pick and Choose Religion

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.

-Second Timothy 3:16-17 (KJV)

We've been looking at the topic of false teachers and false teachings. Yesterday, I asked if you had "itching ears" that only wants to hear what you want to hear. Paul gives us good reasons why we must hear the Word of the Lord.

Verse 16 says, "All Scripture is given by the inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:" Notice Paul's words: ALL SCRIPTURE. That means every book, every verse, every word of the Bible. Those who have "itching ears" are missing out on blessings from God when they pick and choose what they want to hear and what they want to skip. Paul says that All scripture is given by the inspiration of God. God had given these words to those who wrote the various books, letters and poetry in the Bible. Those words were given for a purpose. Paul goes on to reveal what the purpose is: and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." The Scriptures are beneficial for doctrine. Doctrine is what we believe. It is the things that define our faith. One of the doctrines of the Christian faith is that Jesus was born of a virgin. Without accepting that statement as truth puts Jesus no different than you and I. Yet Jesus was fully human, and fully God. The Scripture reveals to us the things that must make up our faith and beliefs.   Without Scripture, our faith would have no basis. Scripture is also beneficial for reproof and correction. Reproof means a reprimand, a scolding. Use the Scriptures to correct our evil, sin nature led ways, into the paths that God has for us, and the ways He expects us to live. Finally, Scripture is beneficial for instruction in righteousness. Scripture is beneficial for us to know the right way that God wants us to live. Scripture provides for us our beliefs, corrects our failures and provides instruction in how to be the people that God wants us to be. Why is all this important? I believe verse 17 answers that.

"That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." God has provided the Scriptures so that we "may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." Without the correction and rebuking of Scripture, we'll never be perfect. Without the instruction of the Scripture, we'll never know the good works that we should do. Maybe that is why the church is fading in America today. We've become a society that only wants to do and hear the things we want to do and hear. We've become a "me" society, do what I want, when I want. Friends, when we pick and choose what we want to hear and read in the Bible, we're never going to be the people Jesus shed His blood for. When we pick and choose what we want we want to believe, and what we want to ignore, we're basically telling God that He is not good enough for us. Is that your message to Him today? 

~Think About It~