“THE PURPOSES OF THE SCRIPTURES”

“All scripture … is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness…” 

– (2 Timothy 3:16)

     Flawed Families of the Bible (Brazos Press, 2007), by David Garland and his wife Diane, gives voice to those select people in the scriptures. The Garlands present a new texture and voice to those painful situations, such as the

hopelessness of Hagar and Leah, the desperation of Dinah, and the rape of Bathsheba.

     Mt. Gilead, there is no human situation that is not addressed in the Bible. This is the very essence of “usefulness”. Paul uses five words regarding the usefulness of the word of God: profitable (useful), doctrine (teaching), reproof (correcting/rebuking), and instructing (training). Here are two negatives and two positives. The positives are teaching and training. The negatives are rebuking and correcting.

     Friends, the Word is useful for teaching what is right. There are times when it is for correcting what is not right. The training is for staying right. God is not only interested in what is right; but when we get right, we have to stay right. The majority of us know what is right. We have learned the scriptures and have been led to salvation. Some of us even have institutional training in the scriptures, but we still do what is wrong. This text speaks to our individual situations and helps us reach a point of staying right.

     Mt. Gilead, often we are so swept away by the beauty of inspiration that we miss the main purpose of the scriptures: usefulness. The word of God is a practical book for everyday living. That is, God speaks to every human situation in His word. This is evident when the believers gather every Sunday to hear what God has to say.

Always remember that God loves you and I do too!

Be blessed,

Pastor Preston E. Dixon

Prayer:

Lord God, we’re thankful that your word not only comforts and encourages us, but it rebukes, corrects, and trains us as well. Give us a mind, will, and spirit that hungers and thirsts for your righteousness so much that we will diligently study your word every day. AMEN.