“Building Our Lives on the Bible” (Part One)

In our world and in our day, there is a great challenge to the concept of authority. We increasingly seem to rebel against even the very idea that anything should be in charge of us! The thought that we are accountable to anyone or anything, other than our own desires may be the only heresy of our generation.

This is what makes the Christian experience such a radical departure from the surrounding world system and its values. We begin with the premise that we are a people under authority, and are to be comforted, rather than distressed, by that fact. This is the great privilege and challenge—the reality of being people under God’s authority, an authority that is administered through His Word, the Bible.

We start here, because, unless we acknowledge the authority of the Bible we will never truly build our lives upon it. We may give lip-service to it, or a nod of approval, or even creedal acceptance—but we will never build our lives upon it until we acknowledge it to be the expression of God’s authority in our lives. If we are willing to begin there, with submission to God’s authority, then, and only then, can our lives begin to be shaped by God’s Word. What will contribute to that? We see it in Paul’s words to Timothy found in 2 Timothy 3:14-17, and it starts with:

Training in the Word (v.14-15)

(14) You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, (15) and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Notice that Paul begins with Timothy where we began—by contrast to the surrounding culture. John Stott wrote:

“You, however” is a repeat from v.10, and the thrust of it is, “But, as for you…” in stark contrast to the contemporary decline of morals, empty show of religion, and spread of false teaching, Timothy is told to  be different, and, if necessary, to stand alone. Certainly the pressures upon us to conform (Rom 12) to the mold of this world are colossal, but again and again the Word of God addresses us, calling us not to be moved. We are not to be like a ‘reed shaken in the wind’, feebly bowing down before it from every direction it may blow. Rather, like a rock in a mountain torrent, we are to stand firm.

The call is to authentic Christianity, and if that is to happen, we have to be committed to the training of the Word in our lives, in at least three ways:

A. Lifelong Pursuit: “continue in”. Timothy had been taught from childhood (1:5) but that learning was not to stop. But, he was also to continue applying that learning to his life. In other words, it was not enough for him to know the Bible, he needed to truly build His life on it. This is so important, because others in Paul’s circle of associates had also learned these things but had swerved (1 Tim 1:6), been made shipwreck (1 Tim 1:19), and erred (1 Tim 6:20). Timothy had “learned” (emathes from matheos, disciple) and become “convinced”, and now needed to continue in those convictions as the platform for life and decision-making.

B. Multiple Opportunities- Timothy had embraced the opportunities for instruction and growth he had received whether from (v.14- “from whom”) Eunice and Lois, or from Paul himself. This spiritual instruction, however, was not limited to human teachers, valuable as they are. He also had (v.15) access to the “sacred writings” (KJV- “holy scriptures”) for his own personal study and understanding. For what purpose? To help him understand and embrace…

C. Message of Salvation- It was to “give the wisdom that leads to salvation.” What a great statement! The scriptures are the instrument of the Spirit of God to draw us to faith in Christ (“faith comes by hearing, hearing by…). Alistair Begg said, “Every time you open the Bible is evangelistic, for the whole purpose of the scriptures is to tell the greatest story ever told—man lost in sin and Christ coming to redeem.” The Bible is God’s instrument for that, but it is not believing the Bible that saves us. It is in believing in the Christ the Bible tells us of that we are saved! The sacred writings give us “the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (v.15).

Tomorrow we will see the next step in building our lives on the Bible.

One Response to ““Building Our Lives on the Bible” (Part One)”

1. Bill Crowder says:

   March 13, 2010 at 2:30 am

   that would be fine, Mike. Hope it will be helpful