The Church, Part 8

The Word of God is essential to the Christian life. Paul assured Timothy, who had been familiar with the Scriptures from childhood, that he would be made wise for salvation through faith in Christ if he continued in them. This assurance came because the Scriptures were breathed out by God, that is, they give life because the life of God is in them by His Spirit (2 Timothy 3:14–17). The Scriptures are absolutely necessary for spiritual life and growth.

This admonition was given to Timothy to instruct him about the means God has provided for the ongoing work of salvation in believing hearts. Our salvation in the sanctification process will continue until we achieve Christlikeness at His return (Romans 8:29; 1 John 3:2; 1 Corinthians 15:49–54). In the meantime, Scripture teaches, rebukes, corrects, and trains the saints in righteousness that they may be fully mature and properly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:17). This is the process that makes the believer wise in the salvation process. No one can call himself a Christian who does not make his interaction with Scripture an essential part of his daily routine.

Paul’s emphasizing this truth to Timothy was not for his personal life only, but also for the foundation of his ministry in the church (2 Timothy 4:1–5). In his first letter Paul instructed Timothy to “devote [himself] to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching” (1 Timothy 4:13).

Some excellent instruction and encouragement is given for the public reading of Scripture in another article by Jim Elliff:

I’m no prophet, but I believe we may soon see a swelling interest in reading the Bible both together & alone that could rebuild our faltering churches and improve the good ones. My information is purely anecdotal but substantial. I’m certainly not the only one seeing this tremendous need and trying to do something about it. Perhaps God will use each of us who care about this to repair the crumbling base in these slanderous, corrupt and morally compromised days. Ask for God’s wisdom and strength and do your part in the lives of those you might influence.

One simple suggestion outside of your own reading and meditation on Scripture is to read the Bible together with feeling with others. Read a chapter or section perhaps three or four times aloud. If there are insights or matters of explanation, conviction or encouragement, talk about them. Read with the express purpose of obeying. If nothing remarkable is said that time, do not be concerned. Just pray for each other and others and conclude. There is no pressure and always benefit by doing this. And anyone can do it. Some of you will be able to do this kind of reading with more than one person or group each week. It does not have to be approved by anyone. Take this on as a ministry of love for others and God. *

*Jim Elliff, Christian Communicator’s Worldwide (https://www.ccwtoday.org), in an online article, “Rebuilding Our Churches with Bible Reading,” dated January 20, 2018.