Scripture is God's Words to Us

Have you ever thought about what it means to be a “real” disciple of Jesus? Jesus gives us some insight…. 31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. John 8:31

In this verse, Jesus makes clear that there are Two Proofs of Real Discipleship:

Proof 1 - Believe that Jesus Christ is Messiah and Son of God. 31 To the Jews who had believed him…. Jesus said,… you are really my disciples. John 8:31 If I am going to be a disciple of Jesus, I must first believe that He is Savior. That is foundational to our faith. It is the gospel message. (Romans 6:23; John 3:16)

Proof 2 - Habitually rely on and obey Scripture. 31 … Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. John 8:31. To “hold to my teaching” paints the picture of a “habit”; so as a disciple of Jesus, I will habitually rely on and obey Jesus’ teaching, or Scripture.

Scripture is God’s Word to us. There is a key passage that Paul penned in his letter to Timothy that teaches us about the vital role Scripture plays in our lives. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Why should I dig deep into Scripture? Because Scripture prepares and equips us for every good work! In this passage, we discover 5 benefits of digging deeper into Scripture to be equipped for good work.

1. Scripture tells me what God wants me to know. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed… 2 Timothy 3:16a. This phrase “God-breathed” or “breathed out by God” means that all Scripture is given by inspiration from God Himself using the minds, vocabularies, and experiences of the biblical writers to produce His own perfect infallible Word. The Bible is the final authority for our faith. (Psalm 119:105)

2. Scripture tells me what to believe. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching… 2 Timothy 3:16b. This word also means “doctrine”; so in Scripture, God reveals who He is and what He expects from us. (Psalm 119:104). There are plenty of influencers in our world who want to tell us what to believe and how to live. At the end of the day, there is only one source of divine truth that and that is God’s Word, the Bible.

3. Scripture tells me what is wrong. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking,… 2 Timothy 3:16c. To rebuke is to point out wrong behavior or wrong belief. God convicts us through His Word. A lot of people can’t figure out why their life is such a hot mess. God’s Word tells us why and what’s wrong…

12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

God’s Word is powerful and penetrating to our core. It cuts to the heart of the matter. Remember, the heart is where our deepest desires dwell. When we follow the instructions God’s Word offers us, we save ourselves a lot of heartache and trouble in life.

4. Scripture tells me how to correct my wrongs. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting… 2 Timothy 3:16d. This word means to right a fallen object or to help someone who has stumbled back to their feet. God’s Word tells us where we have sinned and fallen short so we can confess and turn back in the right direction. (John 15:2)

5. Scripture tells me how to live. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 2 Timothy 3:16. Training is all about offering positive instruction for living in a way that honors God. The Bible gives us so much wonderful insight for making life work.

So if you are serious about digging deeper into God’s Word to be equipped for every good work, take these next steps:

Step 1 - Treasure the Word. (Psalm 119:1) Hold it close, like the precious treasure it is. When you do, life will always work best!

Step 2 - Study the Word. (Psalm 119:2) Study by asking probing questions: Who wrote this and why? What is the key truth God has for me in this text? What does it teach me about Jesus? Is there a sin to confess? Is there a command to obey? Is there a promise to enjoy? Is there a prayer to pray?

Step 3 - Apply the Word. (Psalm 119:10) To stay on the right path in life, don’t live according to culture, or media drama, or the loudest voice in your ear; live according to God’s Word. Apply His truth in your life!

Step 4 - Memorize the Word. (Psalm 119:11). The Apostle Paul would say “let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.” It is hard to apply what you can’t remember. Take the time to memorize God’s Word. When His Word is hidden in your heart, you will find yourself living, not in a way that is sinful, but in a way that is honorable, as Christ’s real disciple.

For so much more, click here to listen to Follow Me: Becoming a Disciple of Jesus - Part 6.