“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3:16, New International Version)
For the Apostle Paul, Scripture was what we now know as the Old Testament (or Hebrew Scriptures). Now, it also applies to the New Testament (the Christian Scriptures). The whole Bible – all 66 books, every chapter and verse, comes from the mouth of God speaking through God’s servants. Though the servants are flawed, God’s Word is infallible – giving us all we need to know to lead a faithful life.
The words of Scripture are useful – not just for the people who first heard them – but for us today. We are to take seriously all that the Bible has to say, and let the Holy Spirit guide our understanding, through the faith community. Only then can we discover the Truth, follow the Way, and receive new Life in Christ.
In the Bible, God shows us the best to live.
Once we are shown the best way to live, we need the motivation to follow it. The Bible not only informs us, but transforms us. This is where the Holy Spirit comes in. If we listen to God’s Word, the Spirit convicts of our sin. But God’s Word doesn’t end there. God also tells us, through the Spirit of Christ, of his forgiving love. The Bible shows that God never gives up on us, even when we persistently turn away from God. God is always ready and waiting to welcome us home – the very moment we ask God for help.
Philip Yancey in his book What’s So Amazing About Grace? tells the story of a young teenager who ran away from home and found herself lost on the streets of Detroit. She was drawn to an older man who, soon, introduced her to drugs. She became addicted. To pay for her addiction, she turned to prostitution.
Some time later, one morning, lying in bed, she felt an overwhelming sense of guilt and grief. She dragged herself to a corner pay-phone. She called home. There was no answer. So, she left this message.
“Mom, Dad, I’m coming home. If you are willing to take me back, meet me at the bus station at midnight. If I don’t see you, I’ll keep going and won’t bother you again.”
On the bus ride home, many questions ran through her mind. What if they don’t get the message? Even if they did, why would they accept her – after she had abandoned them? She hadn’t been in touch for over a year. As these thoughts hounded her brain, the bus pulled into the terminal.
She looked up and saw – not only the smiling faces of her parents, but a crowd of people holding balloons and signs. Her uncles and aunts, cousins and friends (practically the whole town) all cheered as she stepped off the bus. Welcoming her home.
In the same way, God welcomes us home the moment turn to him for help. In Jesus Christ, God wants to share his warm embrace, his saving love with all his children.
Although I have never read the Yancey book…I have heard about it….thank goodness I read The Book…I would be lost without it ;)
The Pistol fires back: Any Yancey book is worth reading. “What’s So Amazing About Grace” is a good place to start. Nothing compares to The Good Book, of course
That Yancy story touched my heart.
The Pistol fires back: I found it very moving as well. He has an excellent mind, but I don’t usual think of him as the sort of writer who could pull your heart strings. He sure did it there, though.
Well Pistol Pete, there you go, making me cry. Good thing I did not have mascara on or they would be burning too, :)
This was very touching and blessed me. Thanks
The Pistol fires back: Philip Yancey is usually a thinking person’s pastor, but he really tugged at our heart strings with that one.
uh, meant the eyes would be burning. See now I am messed up..I know, I was messed up already! :) trying to make a happy face, it just don’t want to work.
The Pistol fires back: I, too, found this a very touching story.
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