LIFELINK DEVOTIONAL

Friday, September 11, 2020

Yesterday we looked into the first three principles the Apostle Paul gave Timothy for how to endure the Last Days.  Today, let’s discover the rest from this passage.

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 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. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.  2 Timothy 3:14-17

1. The Bible is to be the basis for how we interpret and respond to the things that are happening in the world.
2. The Bible is sacred. It is the inspired word of God. It has no errors. It needs no improvement. And the same Holy Spirit who breathed it out dwells in the redeemed so we can breathe it in.
3. The Bible makes us wise for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, and the joy of our salvation is to be the water that quenches every thirst we have. The prophet Isaiah said, “With joy you will draw water from the well of salvation.” (Is. 12:3)
4. When we view the world through the lens of the Bible, four things will happen that are profitable for our endurance and survival:
   1. We will be taught to look at life from God’s perspective, which includes knowing God’s will, participating in God’s work, and learning how to be an effective witness. The Word of God teaches us how to interpret and respond to every circumstance of life in a way that honors Jesus Christ.
   2. God’s Word will convict us of the things in our lives that are dishonoring to God. The Holy Spirit will use the Word of God to rend our hearts so sin can be exposed and confessed. This is critical if we are to live pure lives and be separated from evil.
   3. God’s Word will correct us. It’s not enough for us to simply recognize that sin exists. We must cooperate with the Holy Spirit when He initiates a process of correction. We don’t like to be corrected because it conflicts with our goals and agenda. When we switch our agenda to Christ’s agenda, we will gladly participate in the correction necessary so we may participate in Christ’s goals.
   4. God’s Word will train us in righteousness. Embrace the correction of the Holy Spirit as He produces the character of Christ in you. Learn from God’s Word how to live righteously, then make it happen.

When we do these things, using God’s Word as the source of truth, we will be equipped to endure the Last Days.

Pastor John