Norm Zilmer: Value of Scripture
- 2 Tim. 3:14-17: Brings the WISDOM which will bring salvation.
- Use in TEACHING–Christianity not founded on a book, but on a living person. But the only place in the world where we can get a firsthand account of that person and his teaching, background, purpose, and position is in the Bible.
- For REPROOF–[not finding fault, but finding conviction] Pointing out the error of the wrong way and pointing to the right way.
- For CORRECTION–testing all theories, theologies, teachings. We MUST use our minds–it is out duty–through and speculation are part of our life–but then each thought must be brought to THE STANDARD for comparison, and every unworthy one rejected.
- The essential conclusion: training in righteousness until EQUIPPED FOR EVER GOOD WORK. Not selfish study, but to make self useful to God and others.
- 2 Tim. 2:15: “Holding a straight course in the word of truth” [see Prov. 3:6] We are warned over and over again, that if we choose a road which does not share the nature of our goal, we will not reach our goal, no matter how stubbornly we keep it in sight. The goal we reach will resemble the road we have reached it by!
PERPECTIVE CHECKLIST:
- To Jesus (Col. 3:17): The test–can we speak it or do it, asking him to hear and see?
- Publicity: would we be pleased to see an article in the paper reporting the incident, read by our friends and family?
- Foresight: where does it lead? [Sow a thought…]
- God’s ‘work of art’: Eph. 2:10