What The Word Of God Is Good For
(II Timothy 3:16-17)
The Word of God is absolutely unique. In the history and literature of man there is no other book or writing that even begins to compare with the influence, persuasion, and power of the Word of God. The derivation of the Word Bible clearly illustrates it's vitality and essentiality. The word for Bible comes from Greek and Latin words for book. In relation to the Bible, the expressions came to mean The Book. The Book that became the standard against which all other books and every moral law and philosophy was to be measured. The measuring rod and canon against which all false doctrines and teachings were to be compared and accepted or discarded as the light of the Word was shone upon them.
Paul is strongly asserting that the Word of God is not only unique, vital and essential, as to defy description, but that it is also peculiarly, particularly and practically beneficial to the Christian in his life and walk before the Lord. What makes the Word of God so unique and valuable? Because in and through it the Holy God and Creator of this universe ' personally communicates with His beloved creature, man. In God's eternal purpose to make unto Himself eternal son's through eternal redemption, the Word of God was planned as man's vital communication and connection link with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
In this day of instant communication, when the billions comprising the population of planet earth can instantaneously be privy to the earth-shattering events of world chaos and catastrophe, it is sobering to reflect on the communication capacity of God through His Word. In an age when man is enthralled with the idea of possible reception of radio waves from the farthermost reaches of God's immense and infinite universe, it is good to consider the ultimate communication of all time and eternity. In a time when governments and private institutions spend untold billions in vain attempts to get a word or message from outer space, it is good to know that the great Creator communicator has simply and clearly spoken to His creatures. While so-called intelligent scientists wait with bated breath for just the faintest signal from an imagined alien world, we who accept and believe the Word of God can relish and revel in the fact that our Great God has spoken loudly and clearly in His eternal revelation to man.
In tandem with the plan of God encompassing the death of the Son of God on the cross of Calvary for the sins of mankind, the Word of God is the vital communication link that spans the awful and infinite gulf of sin separating man from his Maker. Let us look back to that eternal plan formulated in the counsel halls of eternity. (Acts 2:23, Romans 8:28 -32) Can you imagine the challenge facing an infinite, incomprehensible and Holy God, when faced with the task of setting up a communication link with sinful, finite man? He initially spoke with man face to face in the beautiful garden He had prepared for his potential eternal dwelling place. When through man's deliberate and volitional exercise of his own will against his Maker, sin entered in and severed the lines of direct communication, God began to communicate in various and sundry ways as the development of time and circumstance made appropriate.
He wrote His message in the sky in the beauty of a rainbow. He wrote it in the hearts of simple men like Enoch, Abraham Issac and Jacob. He spoke through the flashing of lightning and the crash of thunder upon a Holy Mountain. He condescended to write upon tablets of stone and upon the walls of a pagan palace. He spoke in the winds and rains of disaster and destruction. Then the glory of God is fully revealed when the God-Man stooped to write His precious words of mercy to broken and contrite woman with His own finger in the sands of time.
But in these last days our Great God has chosen to honor us by speaking to us in His Word about the value of His Word. (Heb. 1:1-3) He wishes us to know the tremendous value of reading and knowing His Word. He wishes us to understand the practical and functional place the Word is to have in the Christian's life. Writing through Paul to the young pastor, Timothy, He details these essential functions. He tells us what the Word of God is good for:
The Word of God is good for right and true doctrine and teaching. To guard against the spiritual decease and death that may result from false teaching and doctrine.
The Word of God is good to bring the reproof and rebuke we all need when we are prone to wander away and leave the God we love.
The Word of God is good for the correction any child needs when he rebels and sins against his father.
The Word of God is good for instruction and teaching in the right way of walking and living.
The Word of God is good for introspection. A standard and mirror to measure our life and conduct.
The Word of God is good for spiritual incision. It can cut man off from God or from his sin. It can excise sin from deep within the heart of man.
The Word of God is good for mortification. It can smash and humble the proudest and stoniest heart.
The Word of God is good for purification. It can make the vilest sinner clean and whole.
The Word of God is good for germination. It is the seed that can grow into eternal spiritual life.
The Word of God is good for substantiation. It is the spiritual food to sustain us in our walk in this world.
As we examine in more detail the beneficial qualities of the Word of God, it might be helpful to list the symbolic and figurative images used in the Bible to facilitate our frail and feeble frame in understanding of His eternal and powerful Word. James says the Word of God is a mirror. (James 1:21-25) Paul defines its qualities with the imagery of a two-edged Roman sword. ( Heb. 4:12) Jeremiah presents it as a powerful hammer and an all consuming fire. (Jer.5:14, 23:29) Jesus proclaims it is the eternal spiritual food and water of the soul. (Matt. 4:4, John 4:13-14, 6:51,63, Rev. 22:17) Paul and Peter confirm this symbolic concept. (I Peter 2:2,1 Cor. 2:2, Eph. 5:26) The Psalmist sees it as light for our path and seed to be sown. (Psalm 119:105, 126:5-6) Peter agrees that it is seed (I Peter 1:23-25)
The Word of God is good for pure doctrine and truthful teaching. The Bible is replete with warnings about the harmful effects of false doctrine. Jesus warned that man is prone to teach and listen to false doctrine. He said, "Search the scriptures; for in them you think you have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And you will not come to me, that you might have life." (John 5:39-40) He also warns, ''In vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." (Matt. 15 :9) Paul's next words in chapter four of this letter warn young Timothy further about the danger of false teachers teaching false doctrine and the validity of the truth. (I Tim. 4:1 -4)
After a lesson on the subject, a little boy in Sunday School was asked to define false doctrine. He said, "False doctoring is when a doctor gives the wrong medicine and someone dies." Amusing, but all too true. Those of you born in Britain were especially horrified to hear of the "Dr. Death" there who had been responsible for at least 215 deliberate medicinal murders of his patients. "False doctoring," indeed! Paul cautions that false teachers propagating false doctrine can be just as deadly in the spiritual realm.
The attitude and practice of the religious world in this area today remains consistent with these warnings. Although it occurred years ago, I will never forget the nice, well-dressed and obviously sophisticated lady who, after a first time visit to our worship services, quite severely upbraided me for mentioning that immersion was the only scriptural method of baptism. After I had expressed my apology for any offense I might have caused, l asked her what her pastor taught on the subject. She replied, "I'm not too sure. But I know this. He never preaches doctrine!" Although It seemed wise at the moment to refrain from further comment, I might have asked her just exactly what did her pastor preach, if he didn't preach doctrine? Because I am still convinced that the Bible is focused on good and true doctrine from Genesis to Revelation! The primary problem today remains the same as in Jesus' day. Preachers and religious leaders are still teaching for doctrine the commandments of men.
Paul stated that the Word of God is profitable and practical for doctrine and teaching. Jesus emphasized that His Word brought spiritual life and action when He said, "It is the Spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." We Bible-believing Baptists definitely believe we should seek scriptural authority for our doctrinal position and stand. But do we as strongly and sincerely seek to implement His word in responsible action? Our precious faith and doctrine once delivered to the saints, was not intended as lifeless words written in a dusty book, but as the rules of action and play in the game of life.
I once encountered a well-known and world-renown author of a number of books on cricket. He also edits and publishes one of the world's leading magazines on the subject. In am sure he knows all the rules and intricacies of how to play the game. But as far as I could ascertain he had never seriously played the game at any advanced level. In the country of my birth the expression, "arm chair quarterback", has become synonymous for such theoretical sportsmen. There's a world of difference in reading, studying and mastering the rule book and playing the game. Perhaps this is one aspect of what John meant in Revelation 1:3 when he said, "Blessed (happy) is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep the things that are written therein..."
What the world needs most is to see our doctrine put into action. To see the doctrines and teachings of Jesus Christ lived out before the world. I am sure this is why the Christian is variously called a witness, an ambassador, a runner in a race, a soldier in a battle and a living love letter to planet earth. I like the story of the two pastors who were having a friendly discussion about the advantages and disadvantages of different English translations of the Bible. After much dialogue one thoughtfully paused for a long moment and then said, "To tell you the truth, I like my mother's living translation best!"
Perhaps it would good to repeat this familiar little verse on the subject just here:
"We are living a gospel, a chapter each day, By the deeds that we do and the words that we say.
People are reading our gospel, whether faithless or true. Say, what is the gospel according to you? "
The Word of God is also good for reproof and rebuke. Practising sinners, saved by grace, can never deny the practical need for this helpful function. The wise man was inspired to write, "Turn you at my reproof ; and I will pour out my spirit upon you, I will make known my Words unto you." (Prov. 1:23) And again, "He that heareth reproof getteth understanding. " (Prov. 15:32) We have all experientially confirmed that one key to successful Christian living is our willingness to accept the reproof of the Lord when we find in His Word that we have strayed from His Way. The wise man describes this process as a vital component of the learning curve in the Christian's life.
From the human standpoint, loving and positive reproof is not only difficult to give, but sometimes even more difficult to graciously receive. This is a common life experience of loving and compassionate parents, friends, spiritual brothers and sisters and spiritual leaders. But when exercised as an instrument in the ministry of encouragement intrusted to each Christian, Godly reproof can be a great and mutual blessing. We are each called to a ministry of reproof, exhortation and encouragement. (II Tim. 4:2, Heb. 10:25, Gal. 6:1-2) When the Word of God is illuminated in our hearts by the Holy Spirit of God we are reproved and brought to repent and confess our sins to God. This leads us back to utter and absolute dependence upon Him and His power in our life.
Even though spiritual reproof is not always pleasant, it is absolutely essential. Perhaps this is the reason many ministers of our time preach smooth and syrupy sermons, embellished with pleasing platitudes, designed to stroke the hearer's ego. (II Tim. 4:2) And in their failure to come to grips with the reality of the Word of God and its application to life, they do a great disservice to God and man. (Matt.7:21-23)
I remember when it fell my lot as a young lad on a farm to regularly examine and remove ticks and other harmful parasites from farm animals. Sometimes this could only be done by applying careful but firm force, resulting in some sharp and immediate pain. But when it was all over, even dogs seemed to understand the intent and benefit of the action and would wag their tails with gratitude. We need to allow the reproving Word of God free reign in our life, even when painful conviction results, that we might repent of sin (turn away from) and grow thereby.
The Word of God is good for correction. Correction is not always viewed as a pleasant necessity in the Christian's life. But God makes no bones about the absolute loving and positive function of correction through the Word in the life of His child. In fact, He uses the example of parenthood to emphasize that a loving heavenly Father has no choice but to lovingly chasten His children when they wander away. (Heb. 12:6-8)
One of the Christian's dilemmas is to truly determine whether a trial, trouble or tribulation is an expression of God's chastening or an example of His testing. Of course, such experiences sometimes fall into both categories. Surely the patience that any trial, test or trouble works in our life is equally beneficial, no matter what the reason for its occurrence.
It shouldn't surprise us that the knowledge of God's chastening comes to us through the Word of God. God indicates that just as surely as the child knows when his earthly father speaks to him and rebukes and chastens him, we can ascertain when God is chastening us by heeding His voice as he speaks to us through His Word. We can ultimately know when He is lovingly laying on the lash. We should always respond in true repentance and remedial restitution when and where required.
Spiritual correction through the Word is designed to assist in our spiritual growth and maturation. Although it was always difficult for us to understand, intuition and experience taught us that those tears in the voice of our parents were real when they said, "This hurts me more than it does you. I'm doing it for your own good" Just as the pruning and cutting away of dead and lifeless branches ensures fresh and productive new growth, so the correction of the Word of God does us good.
When God's Word came to David through His prophet's cry of, "Thou are that man..", he was driven to his knees in repentance, seeking the restoration of a right relationship to the Father. In our own frailty our faith sometimes falters and fails. Life tumbles in and our personal resources are exhausted. Ultimately we are driven to humbly confess our weakness and failure. In this whole corrective process we find real confirmation of Peter's statement that the way up from failure is down. (I Peter 5:5-7) Then we know the truth of the old proverbial sayings that the crippled sheep will never stray quite as far nor the wing-cropped bird fly nearly so high. In the loving correction of God and His Word the true meaning of Ro. 8:28 becomes increasingly clear. Perhaps the great poet Sidney Lanier caught this concept when he said, "As the marsh hen secretly builds on the watery sod, I will build my nest on the greatness of God"
God's Word is good for instruction in righteousness and the right way of living. The first axiom of this lesson is that all our righteousness are as filthy rags before Him. That there is not a just man on earth that does good and does not sin. That in order for us to be right in God's eyes we must first of all have the imputed righteousness of His Son, Jesus, placed in our eternal account. Next, we must accept that not only is His salvation and righteousness entirely by grace through faith, but that when we are saved the only possible reason and rationale' for our continuing existence in this ungodly worldly system, is that we "are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which He has before ordained that we should walk in them."
The Word of God asserts that it is our duty to live out Christ's righteousness before the world and give Him preeminence and glory in everything. (Mat. 5:16, I Cor. 6::20) A function of the Word of God is to instruct us in Christ's righteousness and to enable us to emulate it. That is why Paul asserted, "For me to live is Christ." (Phil. 1:21) That is why he made clear that the life He lived was the Christ life, "I am crucified with
Christ,: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I ]live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." (Gal. 2:20)
Even though this world is not our home, our life in it should be Christ. He who made the universe and spoke the earth into existence, laid no claim to temporal possessions. While He lived in the flesh He owned no bed upon which to lay His head. We may have a house and other earthly possessions, but only as a necessity to live, breath and have our very being for Christ. We should have no desire for any continuing possessions here on this earth because we have another city whose builder and maker is God. It is said that birds from the arctic caged in a zoo always look northward. So should be our life for Christ in this world. We, as He, are just sojourners, wayfaring pilgrims on a trek to a better land.
His way of righteousness speaks to us of such a mind-set. We should let the mind of Christ be in us. (Phil 2:5) The Word of God will transform and renew our mind in the ways of righteousness. (Ro. 12:2) The Word of God will guide us to disaffection for the things of this world and affection for the things of the world to come. (Co. 3: 1-4)
As Christians, Paul says we should do right just because it is right to do so. (Eph. 6:1) John says we should obey and serve Him merely because He said so. He further asserts that if we have the love of God and of the brethren in our hearts we will obey His commandments and His commandments will not give us spiritual heartburn. In following His Word and His way, we become disciples who display His righteousness with great joy in our hearts. (I John 5:3)
On the faraway fields of Gallipoli and in the Owen Stanley ranges of Papua New Guinea, lie the bodies of thousands of Australia's bravest. When the time came to serve King and Country and pay the supreme price for freedom, they did not reason why. They lie there because they were willing to loyally and lovingly respond to the call of their country and obey the commands of those who called them to battle. As we look into the Word of God we also can find a call to present our bodies a living sacrifice. To give ourselves without reservation in showing forth His righteousness to the world of men around us that they might also know Him and life eternal through Him.
