2 Timothy 3:14-4:5 (NRSV)
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Verse 14But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, Verse 15and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Verse 16All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, Verse 17so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.
Chapter 4In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you: Verse 2proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching. Verse 3For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires, Verse 4and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths. Verse 5As for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully.
Devotion
It was one of the most memorable sermons my colleague had ever preached. He began by holding up a hammer and declaring that the Bible is not a weapon! It seems funny that we would need such a forceful reminder, but, unfortunately, too often these days, the Bible has become a weapon used to tear down rather than as a gift that builds up. Our Scriptures, given to us by God and passed down through the generations, are not meant to be used for the excluding of some, but for the inclusion of all. Within the pages of Scripture we discover the life-giving Word and claim our place in the story of God's salvation that convicts, redeems, and equips us for service. Yet too often in our busy days we neglect to delve into the pages of our Bible and learn for ourselves the shape of its story. May we be inspired this day to read a little from our Bible, and then proclaim with our lives the message from God we have received in Jesus the Christ.
Prayer
Word of life, thank you for the gift of our Holy Scriptures. May we be encouraged by what we read and hear from the Bible to live lives of service and love, not ones of hate and condemnation. Amen.