Growing in Righteousness
Scripture is one of the most important aspects of our Christian spirituality.
God has chosen to speak to us through His Word. Rather than waiting around to hear the voice of God, we can turn to Scripture and hear God speaking to us.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 tells us first and foremost that Scripture is God-breathed. This means that it is inspired by God. This makes Scripture unlike any other book. God divinely inspired human authors to write these letters.
More than that, Scripture has the power to radically change our lives if we read it and live it out. Paul tells us that Scripture is able to teach us, rebuke us, correct us, and train us in righteousness. All of these things are happening when we choose to engage in God’s Word.
When we read God’s Word, we should be attentive to what God is communicating to us. He may want to correct some of our behavior, convict us of choosing our own way instead of His, or teach us something about Himself.
All of these things are so that we can continue to live in a way that pleases God.
As we read Scripture and do what it says, we grow in living righteously. We are also equipped for the good works that God wants us to do.
Engaging with God’s Word is the primary way that God equips us for the life He planned for us.
What ways can you continue to build a habit of reading God’s Word every day? Consider how you can better live out what God’s Word says so that you can grow in righteousness and accomplish all God wants for you.
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. I am that bread of life. Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat? Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he...
Our Hope Is in God’s Living Word
The letter that became the book of Hebrews was written to early believers who were facing persecution for what they believed. They were most likely tired, scared, and wanted to give up. But Hebrews 4:12 reminds them that their hope wasn’t just in words on a page or stories from the past. Their hope was in the active, living Word of God.
The book goes on to tell the powerful story of God’s Word at work in His people.
God spoke to Noah, and through his obedience, God’s creation survived the flood.
God called Abraham, and through his faith, a great nation was born.
God summoned Moses, and through his courage, God’s people were freed from slavery.
God’s Word moved—and His people responded in faith.
In the midst of fear, waiting, or uncertainty, God’s Word is still true. And it continues to work powerfully through every generation.
The same Word that called Noah, Abraham, and Moses is the same Word that calls us today. Just like them, we have ...