“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (NKJV, 2 Tim. 3:16–17).
These verses from the Apostle Paul answer the questions, “Why should I read the Bible?” and “Why should I study it and apply what it says to my life?” God, who desires to be known to His creation, reveals Himself in the words of Scripture. Through His self-revelation, we come to know Him better.
As we grow in knowledge and love for God by studying Scripture, it works in us through the Holy Spirit. In Heb. 4:12 we read: “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
This is why Paul said that Scripture is profitable for reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness. As we study Scripture, it examines our hearts, and the Holy Spirit initiates the work of transformation.
I had the opportunity to experience this with my friend, Israel. He wanted to study Scripture and learn more about who God is, as revealed in the Bible. As we studied together, we discovered how Scripture is profitable for doctrine. We saw how God created the world (creation), how He gives people the gift of rest and time with Him (Sabbath), why there is suffering in the world (the fall and sin), what happens when we die (the state of the dead), and how, by God’s grace, we are saved through faith in Jesus (salvation). As we continued to witness how God and His love are revealed in Scripture, Israel became increasingly certain that he wanted to be baptized.
So we turned to the Bible once again to see what it says about baptism and committing our lives to Jesus. In Rom. 6:3–4 we read: “Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also s
hould walk in newness of life.”
This is what Israel desired—to accept Jesus’ death for his sins and to walk in a new life.
Our study did not end after Israel was baptized. We continue to study together to learn what Scripture says about living the new life in Christ—or, as Paul put it, “for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” We see how the Holy Spirit produces God’s fruit in us (Gal. 5:22–23), how we can respond in love to God through giving, serving others and worship, and how to be ready for Jesus’ soon return.
My prayer for Israel—and for anyone who desires to learn and love God through studying Scripture—is encapsulated in Paul’s earlier words in 2 Tim. 3:14–15: “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”
David Werner pastors the Grand Forks Church in North Dakota.
