HIGHLIGHT
2 Timothy 3:14–15 (ESV): 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
EXPLAIN
Throughout 2 Timothy 2-3 Paul wrote his son in the faith, encouraging him and challenging him to live and serve faithfully for Jesus, despite those in the church who focused on irreverent babble, twisting scripture and becoming doctrinally confused, as well as those in the world who would continue to live wickedly and oppose God’s people.
The salvation that God’s Word would make Timothy wise about is not “initial salvation” in which we are redeemed from sin and become children of God.
Rather, this salvation refers to our final salvation or to salvation in its entire scope – being saved by grace through faith, growing in grace, being filled fully with the Holy Spirit, and being welcomed into eternity as a good and faithful servant.
APPLY
A seemingly alarming number of believers today are questioning and even abandoning their faith. Also, a frightening number are adding onto their faith extra-biblical teachings that are not supported by God’s Word, but actually contradict it.
There is a place and need to “critically” study scripture. But scripture can and will stand up to faithful exposition; we must not abandon our faith!
Furthermore, scripture is all we need for life and godliness; we must not add or subtract to God’s Word because the plain text doesn’t support the popular ideas of people, whether inside or outside the church.
RESPOND
Heavenly Father, I thank you for your written Word which gives us life. May I live faithfully according to your teachings by faith in Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen.