“And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” 2Timothy 3:15
LIGHT FOR THE NOW: When purpose is not known, abuse is inevitable.
It is important to point out that the scriptures have its purpose; the mission or purpose of the scriptures cannot be found outside the scriptures. Any attempt to know the mission of the scriptures outside of the scriptures (for example, external biblical materials) will in no doubt lead to error. This is because the bible is not any kind of book; it has its own message, purpose and mission which is only known within its writings; meaning that the purpose of the scriptures is only revealed within the scriptures.
The question that now comes to the fore is: What then is the purpose/mission of the scriptures?
Apostle Paul in 2Timothy 3:15 (a letter to a mentee of his) gives us a lead. The word “holy scriptures” used by Paul in this text refers to a specific set of writing and not every writing present in that particular time. “Holy scriptures” means set apart writing or sacred writings, implying that its purpose/mission will only be unique to it and not in any other writing. Now, Paul went on to say, “…which is able…” The word “able” is the word “dunamis” in the Greek and it refers to ability. So, what is this ability, that is, the ability that the scriptures has? Paul’s next statement explains that: “make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus”. Therefore, we can deduce that salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus is the mission of the document called the scriptures.
In the Old Testament (holy scriptures or concealed scriptures), salvation is the crux or fulcrum of the message. Similarly, in the New Testament (the scriptures revealed or the Holy Scriptures revealed), salvation is still the subject matter. Thus, the message of the bible is salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. Now, if that is its message, then its message will be its purpose or mission. Meaning, we cannot separate the mission or the purpose of the bible from the message of the bible itself. The purpose of the bible will be thus defined by the message it carries. The message and the mission will thus be the same; the message is salvation; the mission is to save (still salvation). Hence, the bible is God’s salvation book; the bible reveals God’s saving plan.
Salvation therefore, is both the message and the mission of this document called the bible. Meaning, if you don’t understand salvation in Christ Jesus, then you don’t understand the bible. In essence, “salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” unveils the message of the bible. Therefore, Christ Jesus with reference to his salvation plan unveils the scriptures to us.
INSTRUCTION: Knowing the message critical/vital to knowing its mission. You cannot ignore the message.
PRAYER: Father, I thank you for the message wherewith I am saved. I embark on the mission of saving others with this same message which saved me, in Jesus Name. Amen!!
FOR MORE LIGHT, get the message ‘The Gospel of Christ’
QUOTE: The message of the scriptures not understood is the mission of the scriptures misunderstood.
DAILY BIBLE READING: MORNING: 2TIMOTHY CHAPTER 3; EVENING: LUKE CHAPTER 24
LIGHT FROM THE WORD 