Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Thought for the Day: This is one of those passages at the epicenter of a seismic argument over the last century or so. Are the scriptures perfect and without error, or is the language of “God-breathed” (often translated as inspired) speaking to something entirely different? I continue to be of the opinion that if we wish to take the scriptures seriously, we cannot take them literally. Putting aside the debate, let us look closely at the second verse that speaks of equipping for every good work. Here is Bruce’s theory — we have made the fight over the inerrancy (without fault or error) of scripture into our definition of the good work. If you read the rest of 2nd Timothy, I don’t believe there is anything further from the truth. Those debates will continue to occur in certain corners of Christianity, but as they do, so many people are left yearning for the good work of the church – the good work of embodying grace, mercy and peace. Will we be among those who are duking it out over a side issue while sisters and brothers go without encountering the good work of God that is to be seen in the Body of Christ?
Prayer: May the passion I might have for some side issue never eclipse your calling, Merciful God, to serve my neighbor as I demonstrate your grace, mercy and peace. Amen.
INVITE A FRIEND
TO WORSHIP
