Thursday, March 11, 2010

"Profitable"

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." 2 Timothy 3:16

Not only is "all" scripture inspired by God, but "all" scripture is profitable for us. It is profitable to those who will heed its words and obey them- "all" of them. There is no profit when we "pick and choose" the ones we like. The word of God is not like a "buffet" at a restaurant that you can pick your favorite food and leave the rest.

I see so many Christians who live their lives like that. They only choose to apply to their lives the commandments that make them feel good, that make them comfortable, that fit into their lifestyle or that don't get in the way of their agenda, but they leave off the others. They leave off the "thou shalt not's" when it conflicts with something that they want to do. They leave off the ones that call for personal sacrifice in areas that they aren't willing to surrender. They leave off the ones that go against the standard that they have set for themselves. They leave off the scriptures that take away their right to do their own thing.

The profit that is in the scriptures comes as you meet the conditions that are in them. If you aren't meeting the conditions because you have discarded them from your life, if you ignore them and choose to replace them with "your will", if you neglect them, then you will not gain the profit that is within them. Because as I have already said, the profit comes from heeding, obeying and living our lives by them.

Have a great day. All scripture is profitable, but only as we choose to obey, adhere to and allow our lives to be governed by them.

For further reading:
John 5:39; 15:7
James 1:22
Proverbs 4:20-22
Matthew 7:26

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