Day 23

A disciple lives by the Word of God.

‘All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.’ (2 Timothy 3:16)

We must live the Christian life by the Word of God. This is a recurring theme in Paul’s two letters to Timothy. Paul is encouraging young Timothy, saying, ‘Timothy, both in the operation of the church youhave been sent to Ephesus to lead and in the operation of your own personal life, you must live according to the Word of God.’ This Word of God is God-breathed, authoritative and life-giving.

But that doesn’t mean it is easy! In 2 Timothy, Paul talks about the challenges of living according to theWord as being like a soldier (disciplined), an athlete (determined), a farmer (patient), and a workman(conscientious) (see 2 Timothy 2:3,5-6 and 15). In those pursuits, there is discipline, perseverance and hard work. Timothy was timid, so Paul reminds him, saying he must cast aside his timidity and with the Word of God, ‘correct, rebuke and encourage - with great patience and careful instruction’ (2 Timothy 4:2).

Timothy must have been exasperating Paul because he writes some rebuke to Timothy, exhorting him not to slacken, but on the grounds of the authoritative Word of God to ‘Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season’ (2 Timothy 4:2), which is to take opportunities (‘in season’) and make opportunities (‘out of season’). How are we doing in these areas?

Is the Word of God your foundation?