#DailyDevotion All Scripture Is Spirit Breathed
2 Tim. 316All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, showing what is wrong, correcting and training in right living 17so that a man of God is ready and equipped for every good work.
Paul picks back on the theme from last week, “God’s Word is not chained” in this lesson. All Scripture is inspired by God or literally Spirit Breathed by God. It’s when Jesus breathes on his disciples at the end of John mandating them to forgive and retain sins. Jesus’ speaking the words is breathing. It is God’s Word that speaks creation into being and sustains it. It is God’s Word being spoken and written by the prophets that is in our Bibles, both Old and New Testaments. Despite the liberal religion following the ancient serpent which asks, “Did God really say?” and divide up the Bible into man’s word and God’s Word, Paul affirms to us that it is all God’s Word.
Peter writes in his second epistle chapter one 19“And we have, as something more sure, the prophetic Word. Please look to it as to a light shining in a dark place until the day dawns and the Morning Star rises in your hearts. 20Understand this first, that no prophecy of Scripture came as some private explanation. 21For no prophecy was ever spoken because a man decided to prophecy, but men said what God gave them to say as they were directed by the Holy Spirit.” When he calls the Scripture the more sure, prophetic word, he is comparing that to seeing Jesus glorified and hearing the Father’s voice speak to them. The Scriptures are a more reliable, sure, certain word from God. They are the very word of God in written form, both Old and New Testaments.
Because this written word is sure, certain, and reliable, it is as Paul says, “teaching, showing what is wrong, correcting and training in right living.” It is useful for teaching, namely what is God’s will for us in living. Through the commandments, precepts, regulations and the like we know what God expects of us to do and not do. Through the narratives we can see through examples how God acts towards his people and humanity in general when we do what is right and when we don’t. We also see the mercy and kindness of our God when we repent of our sins.
The Law of God and the Gospel of our Lord both correct us and train us in right living. Through these two, the Spirit Breathed Word trains us in right living. It kills and makes us alive. Hebrews 4: 12“God’s Word is living and active. It cuts better than any two-edged sword. It pierces until it divides soul and spirit, joints and marrow. And it can judge thoughts and purposes of the heart.” In doing this it renews us in the image and likeness of our Savior Jesus Christ who is the very Word of God.
The Word’s killing and reviving properties, it’s instructing in the will of God and his attitude and will towards us prepares us to do every good work. Works God has prepared beforehand for his elect to do. (Eph. 2:10) So if the world and the devil and sometimes those claiming to be Church try to tear us from the certainly and surety we have in the Word, we just cling to that Word as our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, even as he is clinging and holding on to us. If we don’t understand it, we simply submit to it until the Word and Spirit give us understanding. In time or at the revelation of Jesus we will understand all things. For now, his Word is life for us.
Heavenly Father, ever give us your Holy Spirit so we may believe, trust and understand the Spirit Breathed Scriptures which you have graciously given us so we may live according to your will and purposes. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.