“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: If you have not understood salvation yet, then you have not understood the bible.
It is clear from our opening text that the subject of salvation is the crux of the gospel of Christ; hence, Paul’s words to Timothy implies that the wisdom Timothy possessed was in his ability to understand the message of salvation and consequently teach the same. Let’s pay attention to the next verse: “All scriptures is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2Timothy 3:16).
The word doctrine in this text is the Greek word “didaskalia” which implies teaching or explanation. The question that comes to the fore is teaching or explaining what? The pretext (verse 15) gives us the answer; teaching or explaining salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. Now, let us observe the word “wise” used in verse 15; it was translated from the Greek word “sophizo” which implies skilfulness. “Sophizo” does not refer to innate skill or talent, rather “sophizo” is wisdom or skilfulness acquired through training. This shows us why Paul used the word “known” which implies an acquaintance. That is, Timothy’s skilfulness was as a result of his acquaintance with the Holy Scriptures. Therefore, we can say that the skilfulness of Timothy (a fellow minister of the gospel) was found in his ability to teach salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus from the Holy Scriptures (the Old Testament). This means that when the message of the Holy Scriptures is well understood, what it conveys or the climax of its message is salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
Salvation therefore, is not and end-time message, salvation is the message. Salvation is what was contained in the utterances of the prophets in the Holy Scriptures (Genesis to Malachi). Brother Peter in 1Peter 1:10-11 lays credence to this: “Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow”. Thus, we can say that salvation is the fulcrum of the gospel. Salvation is God’s plan before time began, God’s plan after time began, God’s plan communicated in the utterances of the prophets in the Old Testament (Genesis to Malachi) and God’s plan fulfilled in the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
INSTRUCTION: If you miss salvation, then you’ve missed the core message of the scriptures; don’t miss this subject, go for it.
PRAYER: Lord, I receive understanding in the subject of salvation, in Jesus Name. Amen!!
FOR MORE LIGHT, get the message ‘Understanding Redemption’
QUOTE: When the scriptures are understood, salvation is the picture that comes to the fore.
DAILY BIBLE READING: MORNING: JOHN CHAPTER 5; EVENING: 1PETER CHAPTER 1
LIGHT FROM THE WORD 