THE SCRIPTURES AND ITS MISSION (3)

“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. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” 2Timothy 3:15-16

LIGHT FOR THE NOW: The profitability of scriptures is seen in teaching.

From Brother Paul’s statement in the above text, it is firmly established that the crux of the message of the bible is salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. Hence, the profitability of scriptures will be seen in our skilfulness of teaching salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. The message of salvation cannot be well taught if not well understood. Let’s observe verse 16: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness”. It is important to note in this text that Paul was not discussing four (4) different elements but a singular element which is doctrine. Moreover, you will observe that throughout this book, Paul did not use the words reproof, correction and instruction again, but consistently used the word doctrine (2Timothy 4:2-3 for instance). This shows that what Paul was discussing in 2Timothy 3:16 was doctrine, the other three (3) words (that is, reproof, correction and instruction) were to further explain doctrine; that is, they are found in sound doctrine.

Hence, Paul was not discussing four different things in this text; rather, he was discussing the profitability of scriptures for doctrine and doctrine produce reproof (conviction/assurance), correction (restoring to original state/straightening) and instruction (training). In other words, in the doctrine of salvation come reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness. Therefore, the skilfulness of a preacher will be seen in how he handles situation in Christ Jesus. That said; let’s examine Paul’s words in verse 15 for further clarity: “…salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus”. Paul lets us see that salvation is through faith which is in Christ Jesus. If salvation is through faith in Christ Jesus, it thus imply that outside Christ, we cannot understand salvation. Salvation is the message that it is because of Christ; meaning to understand salvation, you must understand Christ because salvation is in Christ and salvation is Christ.
Thus, the study of salvation (soteriology) will be the study of Christ (Christology). You cannot miss Jesus and aim to understand the message of salvation. Salvation is Christ, salvation is in Christ and by implication, the message of the bible is Christ. Christ, therefore, becomes the central theme, the focus, the subject matter of the bible. In this revelation of Jesus, God’s salvation plan is unveiled because God’s salvation plan before time and after time has been in Jesus; and by his death, burial and resurrection, that plan was accomplished. Therefore, missing Jesus is missing the central theme of the bible.

INSTRUCTION: Be Christ focused and nothing else.

PRAYER: My eyes are fixed on Jesus and what he has accomplished for me in his death, burial and resurrection, in Jesus Name, Amen.

FOR MORE LIGHT, get the message ‘Understanding Salvation’ by Prophet Dr John Linus.

QUOTE: Soteriology is the study of Christology.
DAILY BIBLE READING: MORNING: LUKE 24; EVENING: GENESIS CHAPTER 1