EHP Day 54-A Life Shaped By the Word
2 Timothy 3:14-17
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
Some parents make it a priority. Other parents do not. Timothy came from a home that didn’t, and did.
From indicators that are less-than-complete, Timothy’s non-Jewish father was, most likely, dispassionate about religion and faith. Yet dad was just one side of the equation. On the other side were a Jewish grandmother (Lois) and mother (Eunice), women not only of quiet, powerful faith, but disciples who saw to it (cf. 2 Timothy 1:5) that young Timothy knew, understood, and believed the Scriptures. His faith flowered early, watered by their faithful praying, grounded in the soil of supernatural revelation. “From childhood…acquainted with the sacred writings….able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”
So much about the centrality of Scripture for the developing heart. Neglectful parents starve their children’s souls when Scripture is not honored, read, and discussed at home. You cannot reap when nothing is sown. Conversely, intentional parents find ways to read Scripture together as a family and weave Scripture into the ebb ‘n’ flow of everyday living. Our personal worth to God is clarified by Scripture. The way we conduct relationships. How we communicate with one another (at home and on the street) are shaped by Scripture. The values portrayed through movies and popular culture evaluated with Scripture.
Why? Because nothing else equals the value of Scripture, because of the Source of Scripture. Because nothing else written must have such a comprehensive influence on every part of our life. Because what God has said has the power to shape any and every person into a man or woman of God.
Journal Notes