Where do we go to find out information that’s important? Most likely today our starting point is to search the Internet. Or perhaps we read a newspaper, listen to the radio, download a podcast, or watch the news on TV. Maybe we even go to the library, but how do we know that any of these sources are true? How do we discern fake news, editorial bias, or misinformation from fact?

In our header scripture, the Apostle Paul advises his protégé Timothy that there is another very valuable source of information – The Holy Scriptures. Paul is saying that the pages of the Bible are not just the ideas of some intelligent human authors or thinkers, but rather that these words come from God himself. If this is true, then this isn’t just another book we can casually read as interesting literature, history, or poetry and then discard at will. Rather, it is the most trustworthy source for understanding God’s loving purposes for humanity, which find their fulfilment in Jesus Christ. The scriptures Paul refers to would essentially have been the Old Testament, yet Jesus was clear that they pointed to him (John 5:39).

The phrase ‘breathed out by God’ clearly shows the role of the Holy Spirit in communicating God’s words to us and pointing us to the ultimate Word, who is Jesus Christ (John 1:1). It doesn’t mean that the Holy Spirit literally dictated every word, or controlled the authors’ writing strokes. We see individual writing styles, personalities and experiences in the books of the Bible, but we also see that the Holy Spirit was intimately involved in guiding the content, the overarching narrative and the editing process which gave us the books we have in the Bible today (2 Peter 1:21). And the Holy Spirit continues to breathe into our minds, to help us understand the words we read and to reveal Jesus Christ more clearly.

Paul says the scriptures are beneficial for at least four purposes:

1. Teaching – the Bible is the primary way we learn about who God is and what he is like. And the Greek word for ‘teach’ can also mean doctrine – the arc of scripture should be the authoritative source for the tenets of our faith.
2.  Reproof – enabling us to believe with conviction and convince others.
3.  Correction – recognising that sometimes we need to be brought back to conform more closely to the mind of Christ.
4. Training in righteousness – to learn how to practically live out our faith in holy lives.

Paul says the reason for all of these things is that we may become complete or mature, equipped for the good works God has for us to do. 

Local congregation:
Grace Communion Peterborough
Farcet Village Hall                                                    
Main Street
Farcet
Peterborough
PE7 3AN

Meeting time:
Sunday 11.00 am

Local congregational contact:
Richard Dempsey
Email:  richard.dempsey@btinternet.com
Local church website: GRACE COMMUNION CHURCH PETERBOROUGH – Landing Page

Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church