Training in Righteousness |
"All Scripture is . . . profitable for . . . training in righteousness" (2 Tim. 3:16).
God’s Word nourishes your spiritual life.
We conclude our study of the character and benefits of God's Word by focusing on the benefit that ties all the others together: training in righteousness. Everything the Word accomplishes in you through teaching, reproof, and correction is aimed at increasing your righteousness so you'll "be thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Tim. 3:17, NIV).
"Training" refers to training or educating a child. The New Testament also uses the term to speak of chastening, which is another important element in both child rearing and spiritual growth (Heb. 12:5-11). The idea is that from spiritual infancy to maturity, Scripture trains and educates believers in godly living.
Scripture is your spiritual nourishment. Jesus said, "Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God" (Matt. 4:4). Peter exhorted us to be like newborn babes, longing "for the pure milk of the word, that by it [we] may grow in respect to salvation" (1 Pet. 2:2).
You should crave the Word just like a baby craves milk. But Peter prefaced that statement with an exhortation to put "aside all malice and all guile and hypocrisy and envy and all slander" (v. 1). That's the prerequisite. James taught the same principle: "Putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word" (James 1:21). Attempting to feast on Scripture without confessing your sin is like attempting to eat a meal while wearing a muzzle.
Either the Word will keep you from sin or sin will keep you from the Word. Deal with sin immediately so it doesn't spoil your appetite for God's Word. And even if you know the Bible well, be regularly refreshed by its power and reminded of its truths. That's the key to enjoying spiritual health and victory.
Suggestions for Prayer
For Further Study
Read Philippians 3:1 and 2 Peter 1:12-15.
From Drawing Near by John MacArthur Copyright © 1993. Used by permission of Crossway Books, a division of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, IL 60187, www.crossway.com. |
Wednesday, October 31, 2018
Training in Righteousness by John MacArthur
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Verses for December 22
❄️🧤 “And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for ...
-
The NIV 365-Day Devotional Reading Plan Day 259 of 365 Lavish Love! We single women sometimes feel deprived of love, don...
-
DAILY DEVOTIONAL MAY 14, 2018 Jesus' Nature He will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom. Isaiah 4...
-
Monday, May 14 Undergirded Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to ...
No comments:
Post a Comment