Friday 9th February
Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17
“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.” (NIVUK)
There are two key features of Scripture described here. First, it is ‘God-breathed’. Which simply means that it originates from Him – it not something that humans spoke or wrote that was then subsequently designated by God, authorised if you like, as Scripture.
Second, it is useful. Practically useful. These are not words without purpose. Nor are that just inspirational phrases when one is feeling down, with an aesthetically beautiful turn of phrase that one can reflect on, but later ignore.
Scripture, because it is God-breathed, stands over against us as a unique corrective to our fallen impulses and desires. Hence much of its usefulness is reforming in nature, changing who we are, bit-by-bit.
How much have you been changed by God-breathed Scripture? Or do you seek to change it yourself a little, to suit your own impulses and desires?
