“All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

This week, we will be looking at the relationship that a growing and maturing disciples is to have with God’s word.

“All scripture is God-breathed.” What does that mean?

All of the Bible is inspired by God. Simply put, if you want to know God, you study the Bible. God cannot be anything other than what the Bible tells us about God. This means if someone has a “new revelation” of God that is different from what the Bible already tells us about God, that’s a false teacher. That’s heresy. A person can have a “revelation” about God’s character, but if that revelation is from God, it can only verify what has already been revealed in the Bible.

“All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching.”

The Bible is useful and profitable for knowing truth, knowing what is real. The standard for what is true is the Bible. You see, we think we’re so smart. But, remember what all smart people believed about the universe? All smart people were convinced that the earth was at the center of the universe. What we know to be true changes.

What is the only thing in the created universe that will never change? God’s truth revealed in God’s word.

That’s why wise people have trusted the Bible to guide them to truth.

Three million years from now, much will have changed. The only thing that will still remain?

God’s truth revealed in God’s word.

“For it has been granted to you on behalf of Chist not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him” (Philippians 1:29).

I’ve never been in a situation where faith comes at the price of suffering, persecution, beatings, my life.

So, when I read passages like the one above I read it as if it’s a metaphor.

But for many Christians for most of Christian history, these words were literal. I can’t help but wonder, if I would be as bold and sure as the Christian saints who have gone before us.

And, before you think I am talking about the days of gladiators and such, I share with you the testimony of a saint from our lifetime:

It was strictly forbidden to preach to other prisoners. It was understood that whoever was caught doing this received a severe beating. A number of us decided to pay the price for the privilege of preaching, so we accepted their (the communists’) terms.

It was a deal; we preached and they beat us. We were happy preaching. They were happy beating us, so everyone was happy.

• Richard Wurmbrand (1909-2001)

Father, we lift up to you those who are being persecuted for their faith. Comfort and be their strength.

Lord, we lift up to you those of us who believe in comfort. We confess that our faith is too lukewarm. We confess that we have not considered the cost. We are too easily distracted and discouraged by minor comfort. Lord, forgive and strengthen our faith.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

That’s not fair!

Ever hear that one?

We like things to be fair. Things not fair infuriate us. Even little kids know when fairness has been violated.

Ever meet anyone thinking that they will go to hell? Ever meet anyone who thinks the people they love are going to hell?

It’s crazy. What do people think is the criteria for getting to heaven? How does someone get to heaven?

People may not know, they’re just sure that they and their loved ones are going there.

That’s crazy. Based on what? Based on what truth?

God tells us clearly that the way to salvation and eternal life is through Jesus Christ.

• “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
• Jesus declares, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).

Our text tells us that we are saved by God’s grace in his Son, Jesus Christ. We are saved when we place our faith in Jesus.

Heaven is God’s place. Only God gets to set the rules for how one gets to heaven. Not you. Not uncle Joe. Not Aunt Mary. God, and God only.

Burk Parsons says, “Heaven will be full of thankful people asking, ‘Lord why did you choose me?’ And hell will be full of people demanding fairness and getting it.”

There will be many on judgment day, many who have rejected God’s gift of salvation through his Son, Jesus Christ, many who chose on their own to reject Jesus, demanding fairness.

“That’s not fair! I never murdered anyone! I never raped anyone! I lived a good life. I was a good person! What am I doing in hell?”

What they do not know is that their punishment is exactly most fair for sinners. It would be unfair if sinners were not judged.

Not everyone goes to heaven. Not everyone is saved.

BUT EVERYONE CAN BE SAVED. SALVATION HAS A NAME. HIS NAME IS JESUS. BELIEVE IN JESUS.