But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
2 Timothy 3:14-17
Dear God, on a scale of 1-10, I wonder how surprised Paul would be to know this letter to Timothy is now scripture to me. That there is a New Testament that stands next to the Old Testament.
There’s an important aspect to this passage that I think can get easily overlooked. Verse 14 starts out by saying the people who taught Timothy are an important part of what he has learned. There are a lot of different types of teachers, and even those who are wrong or bad can be well-meaning. I’m sure a lot of the Pharisees were well-meaning, but they were influenced by their teachers. As for me, I am influenced by my teachers. Those who I submit myself when it comes to church, teaching, and even commentary through podcasts and articles are an influence on my life. I have to be careful to whom I expose myself.
I think that is one reason that these personal times with you are important. It’s me, scripture, and the Holy Spirit. Not that I am trustworthy on my own. I can be as flawed as any teacher. But I think these are the moments when the Holy Spirit can speak to me in a still small voice and guide me into your truth at any given time.
Father, thank you for the scripture and the way you laid it out. Thank you for the stories of flawed and failed individuals. Thank you for the rules, but also for the grace. Thank you for preserving these letters from Paul; the stories Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John compiled; the psalms and proverbs captured in the Old Testament; the stories of Israel’s failures and subsequent repentance; etc. Thank you for loving me through all of this. Now, help me to take it into the world. Help me to be a good teacher simply in my role as your ambassador. Keep me from heresy and from hurting your kingdom with my own foolishness. Do it all for your glory, Father.
In Jesus’s name I pray,
Amen
Emails to God 