THE SCRIPTURE: FOR THE COMPLETION OF GOD'S MINISTERS
16 ALL SCRIPTURE IS GIVEN BY INSPIRATION OF GOD, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
17 THAT THE MAN OF GOD MAY BE COMPLETE, THOROUGHLY EQUIPPED FOR EVERY GOOD WORK."
2 Timothy 3:16,17 (NKJV)
The Bible is given to us as the required standard for how to live our Christian life. We are to follow, imitate those who walked with God and succeeded in their walk with Him:
11 AND WE DESIRE THAT EACH OF YOU SHOW THE SAME DILIGENCE to the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 that you do not become sluggish [lazy], BUT IMITATE THOSE WHO THROUGH FAITH AND PATIENCE INHERIT THE PROMISES” (Hebrews 6:11,12 NKJV).
Things written in the Bible were written for our admonition; instructions and warnings (1 Corinthians 10:11).
They are meant to guide believers on how to live their lives to please God, that is, how to walk with Him.
We are to learn from those who succeeded in their walk with God, what made them succeed; and to also learn from those who failed, what made them fail; that we may not repeat their mistakes:
5 BUT WITH MOST OF THEM GOD WAS NOT WELL PLEASED, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. 11 NOW ALL THESE THINGS HAPPENED TO THEM AS EXAMPLES, AND THEY WERE WRITTEN FOR OUR ADMONITION [instruction], UPON WHOM THE ENDS OF THE AGES HAVE COME" (1 Corinthians 10:5,11 NKJV).
And of course, we are also to learn through the lives of those who are still walking with God in our contemporary time.
Those who inherited God’s promises are worthy to be emulated (Hebrews 11:33).
We study their lives how they did it, that is, how they walked with God.
We also learn their faith and patience:
10 BUT YOU HAVE CAREFULLY FOLLOWED MY DOCTRINE, MANNER OF LIFE, PURPOSE, FAITH, LONG-SUFFERING, LOVE AND PERSEVERANCE, 11 PERSECUTIONS, AFFLICTIONS, WHICH HAPPENED TO ME AT ANTIOCH, AT ICONIUM, AT LYSTRA—WHAT PERSECUTIONS I ENDURED. AND OUT OF THEM ALL THE LORD DELIVERED ME" (2 Timothy 3:10,11 NKJV).
Things to note about the Bible:
• The Bible is not a story book, it is given by the inspiration of God (2 Timothy 3:16).
• It is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realise what is wrong in our lives (2 Timothy 3:16).
• It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right (2 Timothy 3:16).
• God uses it to prepare and equip His people, His ministers, to do every good work:
16 ALL SCRIPTURE IS GIVEN BY INSPIRATION OF GOD, AND IS PROFITABLE FOR DOCTRINE, FOR REPROOF, FOR CORRECTION, FOR INSTRUCTION (TRAINING, DISCIPLINE) IN RIGHTEOUSNESS, 17 THAT THE MAN OF GOD [son or daughter of God] MAY BE COMPLETE, THOROUGHLY EQUIPPED FOR EVERY GOOD WORK” (2 Timothy 3:16,17 NKJV).
You will not fail in Jesus’ name. Peace!