Timothy, my beloved son, remember that . . .

All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16,17).

Grace be with you,
Paul

Teaching. It informs me. It sorts out my thoughts. It helps me to determine and clarify what I believe. I went to college to learn about a certain field—art. And I remember it being so interesting and fascinating to me. I was excited about what I was going to learn, who the teacher was going to be, how many hours I would chalk up on my transcript, and how it would all mesh with my dreams and goals.

This same excitement should really be a part of my Bible study. The Teacher is interesting, well-qualified, fascinating. The hours transfer quite nicely, and my pursuit of the field definitely enhances my dreams and goals.

Reproof. This means rebuke. This means to be critical. This is how I recognize sin in my life.

God’s reproof is always a constructive, critical evaluation. "He whose ear listens to the life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise" (Proverbs 15:31); "He who hates reproof is stupid" (12:1); "Whom the Lord loves He reproves" (3:12).

I certainly don’t want to be classified as "stupid," as a hardhead who refuses constructive correction. I am confident of His love for me, and I also recognize Him as the source of wisdom. So I listen. I ponder. I accept reproof.

How thankful I am that there is Someone who has the courage to point to my poor performance and tell me that I’m blowing it! That’s reproof. Just think, for example, how tragic it would be to go through your entire stay on planet Earth offending, hurting, alienating people through your poor behavior . . . and have no one to point it out to you. Oh my, yes! Reproof is very definitely profitable.

Correction. This tells me how to change. Change must be necessary, or the reproof would not have come in the first place.

If I need to change, to correct the way I have been doing something, then the proper or right way to do it must be provided for me. With hope. With kindness. With tact. And with encouragement, which is the fertilizer for correction.

Training in righteousness. Training is the "how to" of applying the reproof and correction. Training means involvement. Apprenticeship. The actual "doing," learning by experience. I need "hands-on" experience. I need to know firsthand the "right" way (God’s way) to face life, to face my circumstances. I need to know how to "respond" instead of "react." I need to know how to practice discernment instead of acquiescing to depression. I want to learn how to walk under "Christ-control" instead of self-control. This is the goal, the attainable dream.

And He shows me how to do this as I spend time with Him, study His teachings, His life, His message . . . as I live with Him, sensing His peace, His training—and all toward teaching me how to live and behave as the righteous new person He has created and rebirthed me to be.

* * *

Lord, when I sit down to read the Scriptures, I’m taking care to meet a very important need in my day, in my life. I’m taking care to attend class, to concentrate on my goals and dreams—Your goals and dreams for me.

You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am.
John 13:13

Lord, teach me.