All Scripture is God-Breathed

2 Timothy 3:10-4:8
It is interesting, I think, that Paul says all those who endeavor "to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived."

Interesting, because the temptation to compare our lot with other people's is a trap, and one that can draw us into other sins like coveting or idolatry...the worry that someone else is not getting what their actions deserve or they are making out like bandits (perhaps because they are bandits) sticks like dried bread in our throats. But, all of this is not the reality that we are called to. I think these very concerns are part of the persecution we can experience. This looking at others or gauging our lot against those of others is truly a trap that keeps us from living a life of joy.

All scripture is God-breathed...OK, so how do I respond to that? God-breathed. produced, infused, imbued, filled, alive. All these words come to mind when I contemplate God-breathed scripture. All of it is useful, and it would be if it was given by God for those of us who are reading and responding to it.

Next we are to preach the word-this living word that is God-breathed. So, not of our own selves does this come, but rather from God. Yet, we can have a conversation, one that I can conceive of easily, where we might ask what is the world coming to, and get plenty of answers that are not necessarily hopeful. So, while this gives an opportunity to have a continuing conversation about what the word of God says, we see that Paul experiences circumstances in which people do not care to listen. "For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths."

Do we live in such a time? I think we could at least anticipate such reactions, but it doesn't matter, because as we saw in the opening lines; we are to preach the Word and not be tempted to worry about other peoples' response-or lifestyle-lest we be drawn away from this loving relationship with the Lord God. Trust in this God-breathed word, and preach of this Good News so others might have this peace. And if they don't we aren't to let it draw us into this persecution and temptation, lest we ourselves lose the joy that is in us.


See you tomorrow.
-maggie