Giving Thanks for the Word of God

It is the day before “Thanksgiving” and I thought I’d talk a little bit about being thankful today and the next couple of days.  in 2 Timothy Paul writes a passage that I recommend everyone memorize.  It is chapter 3, verses 16-17:  ¹⁶ All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, ¹⁷ that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

What a great promise that we have for which to be thankful!  God has given us His word, which is profitable or beneficial for so many things.  Four of them are listed here.  God’s word is profitable for…

1.  Doctrine.  This word simply means “teaching”.  There are all kinds of doctrine out there in the world.  How do we know which teaching is truly helpful or beneficial?  We know that the teaching from God’s word is beneficial and helpful.  All other teaching has to be evaluated against the standard of God’s word.  We should be so thankful for this.  I like to use a “walking” analogy to help me think about these four terms.  Doctrine tells me how I should walk.

2.  Reproof. The word of God is so valuable to help me see when I am headed in the wrong direction.  The Bible was not written by a collection of “yes men” who simply validate human behavior and thought.  Rather, the Bible is God’s word, saying “yes and no” to each of us depending on the need.  In my walking analogy reproof is like showing me when I’ve stumbled or fallen down.

3.  Correction.  The Bible tells me how to recover from mistakes.  The word of God doesn’t just condemn me for falling down but then it tells me how I can get back up.

4.  Instruction in Righteousness.  Here the Bible tells me how to walk rightly so I won’t fall again.  This instruction in righteousness combines with the teaching or doctrine and helps me to apply the teaching in the right way.

All of this is done so that I can be complete, equipped thoroughly for every good work, or all that God has planned for me to be and to do.  The word of God is truly more valuable than any earthly treasure.  Take a moment and thank God for it….and if you don’t already do so, open it, read it and live it!