July 25th, 2023
by Mike Cleveland
by Mike Cleveland
The All-Sufficient Scripture
The Bible makes a radical claim - that it contains all we need for faith, life and godliness. As 2 Timothy 3:16-17 declares, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." Scripture alone is sufficient for all things needed to live in this world and to do any good work God gives us.
But how can these ancient writings have such relevance for today? 2 Peter 1:3-4 tells us that God's divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him found in Scripture. All we require has already been graciously supplied! And that, through God's Word, the Bible.
The key is the gospel message at the heart of Scripture. Jesus said "these are the Scriptures that testify about me" (John 5:39). The whole Bible points to the redemptive work of Christ. Hebrews 4:12 says God's word is living and active, able to pierce and discern our innermost thoughts. Through Scripture, we encounter the piercing truth of our sin and God's holiness, driving us to the cross where we find forgiveness and restoration.
This gospel message is "the power of God that brings salvation" (Romans 1:16). Paul resolved to "know nothing except Jesus Christ and him crucified" (1 Corinthians 2:2). The Old Testament foreshadows the cross through the sacrificial system. 2 Timothy 3:15 reminds us that Scripture is able to make us wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. The gospels record His atoning death for sinners. The epistles unpack the implications of His finished work.
Scripture thoroughly reveals Jesus' death for our sins and resurrection for our new life. God's plan of redemption culminates at Calvary. Without the cross, the Bible would be woefully insufficient. But with the cross as its central focus, Scripture has power to save, transform and equip us.
No matter the cultural distance, the Bible speaks powerfully because of its testimony about the crucified and risen Savior at its core. All Scripture points to Jesus and finds its ultimate significance in Him. What an all-sufficient gift God has given us in His word!
Let’s read it, contemplate it, obey it, share it and minister it.
The Bible makes a radical claim - that it contains all we need for faith, life and godliness. As 2 Timothy 3:16-17 declares, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." Scripture alone is sufficient for all things needed to live in this world and to do any good work God gives us.
But how can these ancient writings have such relevance for today? 2 Peter 1:3-4 tells us that God's divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him found in Scripture. All we require has already been graciously supplied! And that, through God's Word, the Bible.
The key is the gospel message at the heart of Scripture. Jesus said "these are the Scriptures that testify about me" (John 5:39). The whole Bible points to the redemptive work of Christ. Hebrews 4:12 says God's word is living and active, able to pierce and discern our innermost thoughts. Through Scripture, we encounter the piercing truth of our sin and God's holiness, driving us to the cross where we find forgiveness and restoration.
This gospel message is "the power of God that brings salvation" (Romans 1:16). Paul resolved to "know nothing except Jesus Christ and him crucified" (1 Corinthians 2:2). The Old Testament foreshadows the cross through the sacrificial system. 2 Timothy 3:15 reminds us that Scripture is able to make us wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. The gospels record His atoning death for sinners. The epistles unpack the implications of His finished work.
Scripture thoroughly reveals Jesus' death for our sins and resurrection for our new life. God's plan of redemption culminates at Calvary. Without the cross, the Bible would be woefully insufficient. But with the cross as its central focus, Scripture has power to save, transform and equip us.
No matter the cultural distance, the Bible speaks powerfully because of its testimony about the crucified and risen Savior at its core. All Scripture points to Jesus and finds its ultimate significance in Him. What an all-sufficient gift God has given us in His word!
Let’s read it, contemplate it, obey it, share it and minister it.
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