Scripture

2 Tim.3: 16

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

All Scripture is breathed out by God, not most or even bits and pieces, but all. Breathed out not only speaks of origin, but it also says that as God exhales His words flow like the air we breathe. They are alive and charged with the God-stuff. This fact alone should change the way that we view the Bible. It is not just any book, or even a book that can impact your life, but instead it is the very word of God. These words don't contain the word, they are the word! They transform! They have the capability to reveal to us the Son of God because He is the living word, the logos. There are many books that have been preserved for centuries, books that have merit like Shakespeare, but none equal the Scripture in power and in truth! 

The Scriptures are purposeful words, words that are spoken in order to transform the human soul. And after salvation, they grow the believer into the image of the Son.  How? Through teaching, reproof, correction, and for training in righteousness, teaching for how to live, reproof for living wrongly, correction for putting back on the right track, and training for a godly walk and sanctification. Each and every part from beginning to the very end [of the Word] is essential for the child of God. If all this is true, why do so many Christians have a long-distance relationship with these words? Why do they prefer to read a short devotional instead of the word? Even though pre-digested devotionals and books have a place in a believer's life, should they ever supplant the words of God? Obviously, the answer is no. I guess we would need to look within at how much Jesus a believer would want in his or her life. If  the desire is to be a competent man of God who is equipped for every good work, then the Scriptures are the place to be!

Too much Jesus, what a funny phrase. Many times we can have too much of a good thing, like medicine [must be the prescribed dose], healthy food, or even junk food. I have heard stories of people who work in canning factories or even people who pick the fruit. It often becomes too much and they can refuse to eat that food ever again. But the Scriptures are vastly different! The more we eat, the more we want! If the book is rarely opened, correspondingly the appetite for it will be rare. God has offered us the full platter of divine food. What are we going to choose to eat? 

Father,

I know that reading Your words are an integral part of my life, but should it be more? Teach me to redeem my time, to use it as You would have me use it.

In Jesus name,

Amen