The Bible In My Life

We need Bible knowledge and application of what God has revealed to us.

2 Timothy 3:13-17 But evil people and impostors will flourish. They will deceive others and will themselves be deceived. 14 But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. 15 You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.

16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip His people to do every good work.

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In Paul's final letter to Timothy, not too long before Paul would be executed, he warned that what Timothy believed would be challenged after Paul is gone. Deceived people won't keep it to themselves, Paul knew that the people that were against his ministry and against the gospel would attempt to deceive Timothy, he would have the truth questioned and he would be tempted to walk away.

It is sad enough to be deceived but sadder still is the fact that deceived people will deceive others. (2 Timothy 3:1-9, 4:6 / 2 Peter 3:17) The lessons that Timothy's family taught him and also the training that he received from Paul would have to take root in Timothy's life to keep him from being ineffective in ministry.

Imagine having Paul as the leader of your small group helping you through long term discipleship. (2 Timothy 1:5-6, 16) Paul's investment in Timothy was rewarded abundantly as you can see in Paul's letters and in the history of the early church:

• Ministered together in various cities (Acts 17:14, 15, 18:5, 20:4 / 2 Corinthians 1:19). 
• Timothy was in Rome with Paul while Paul was in prison (Philippians 2:19–23) 
• Paul frequently mentions Timothy in his epistles (Romans 16:21 / 2 Corinthians 1:1, Philippians 1:1, Colossians 1:1 / 1 Thessalonians 1:1 / 2 Thessalonians 1:1 / Philemon 1:1)
• Paul often sent Timothy to churches as his representative (1 Corinthians 4:17, 16:10 / Philemon 2:19 / 1 Thessalonians 3:2),
• Timothy served as pastor of the church at Ephesus (1 Timothy 1:3)

Timothy took in the sound teaching of his family and from Paul and he allowed it to control his life. The truth was presented to him but it couldn't be forced upon him to apply it to his life. Timothy had to decide what he would do with the information that God revealed to him. (Deuteronomy 29:29)

God's authority isn't forced on us, I get to decide to be a rebel, but my rebellion won't be allowed to last forever. At the end of time it will be a different story as we meet our maker we will all recognize his authority and bow down to him.

We see examples of God speaking in the Bible, the phrase "God said" is found around 3800 times, but after "God said" it was up to man to decide if he would yield to God's authority and pay attention to what "God said."

“It’s not only information about God; it’s the voice of God in print.”

-Tony Evans

The word of God has the authority of God to put the plans of God in motion for my life but the pursuit of the American dream and the pursuit of personal freedom makes it difficult to yield to any authority.

James 1:22 But don't just listen to God's word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.

I need to remember that God is in charge, God wrote the Bible, therefore the Bible has authority over my life and I need to learn everything I can about what it says. But knowledge isn't all, I also need application, I need to allow it to influence my thinking and my actions so that I will please God.

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