The inspiration of the Bible is a critical teaching for the
Christian. If the Bible is merely the spiritually motivated work of human
beings, it may have some value, but we can pick and choose what still applies
today. If it is truly God's Word, however, then it has authority over us no
matter where and when we live.
While there is power in all that the Bible
teaches, Paul points out its supreme value to Timothy in verse 15. He states the the Scriptures are "able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus." (NIV) There is a reason that we need a special revelation from God Himself. As much as we can learn about Him through creation and conscience, we cannot learn His purpose for us without hearing from Him.
The central theme of the Bible is Jesus. Whether you are in the Old Testament or New, what we read is pointing us to the accomplishment of our salvation through Jesus' death and resurrection. We might be able to learn the historical facts about these events through those who witnessed them and wrote about them, but we would not know just what they meant without the inspired Word.
When we read God's Word, we are confronted with the immense love that Christ had for us, the tremendous sacrifice He made for us, and our need for faith in Him to be forgiven of our sins and made right with God. Through the Holy Spirit, we respond to Jesus in faith, and we are saved. It is then that the four functions of Scripture listed in verse 17 will have an impact on our lives: teaching, rebuking, correction, and training in righteousness.
We cannot have a genuine faith in Jesus Christ without knowing what the Word teaches us about Him. It is the Bible that reveals who Jesus is, what He has done for us, and how we can come to Him. The Bible is story God tells to us, so that we might be restored to Him through His Son. As children of God, we should seek to spend time with our Father's revelation so we may understand how we may please and honor Him.
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