No one can be right with God while being wrong with His Word. It’s a right understanding of Truth that produces godly living. Paul wrote Timothy to “charge some that they teach no other doctrine” outside God’s Word, for wrong teachings produce wrong behavior.
Sinful lifestyles are “contrary to sound doctrine” (1 Timothy 1:3,10). Sound doctrine means “healthy teaching.” Only healthy teachings produce righteous living. The Church at Ephesus used fables to make their points, much like some churches today use movies. But no lie is of the truth. It was a humanistic idea God rebuked… “Hold fast the pattern of sound (uncorrupted and healthy) words, which you have heard from me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. That Good Deposit (Scriptures) which was entrusted to you, guard by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us” (2 Timothy 1:13).
Paul went on to say… “Study to show yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). “Rightly dividing” is a road-construction word meaning, “to cut straight.” God’s Word, when rightly taught and understood, produces straight paths for our feet.
If we had ten lifetimes to study all the books in the world, we would still be “ever learning and never able to come to a knowledge of the Truth.” There is only one Book that is God-breathed, living and powerful, and to which all mankind must give account (Hebrews 4:12,13). Jesus said, “The words I speak to you, they are Spirit, and they are Life,” and “they shall judge all people in the last day” (John 6:63, 12:48).
What a Treasure God has given us to guard from loss. May our prayer always be, “Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me: for You are the God of my salvation; on You I wait all the day” (Psalm 25:4,5).
(Devotional by Lisa Cataford)
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