God’s Owner’s Manual for Life: The Bible

In review of 2 Timothy 3:17 I'm reminded that “The scriptures are the comprehensive equipment of the man of God and fit him fully for all branches of his work.” (PHILLIPS)

The whole Bible is God's inspired Word. Because it is inspired and trustworthy, I should read and apply it to my life. It is my standard for testing everything else that claims to be true. It is my safeguard against false teaching and my source of guidance for how I should live. Through it God wants to show me what is true and equip me to live for him. I should study the Word so that I will know how to do Christ's work in the world. My knowledge of God's Word is not useful unless it strengthens my faith and leads me to do good. 

Having the right equipment is often the difference between success and failure. To insert a screw, a carpenter doesn’t use a knife. When you’re under anesthesia, you don’t want your surgeon using a chainsaw. A climber on Mount Everest won’t use dollar store equipment.

Professionals are picky about using the right equipment as they know it can be dangerous if they aren’t.

Life can be dangerous, too, so it’s essential that I use the right equipment.

One of those pieces of equipment is the Bible. It’s like God’s owner’s manual for my life. Like any good owner’s manual, the Bible gives me instructions and I can consult it when I need help.

Second Timothy 3:17 says, “The scriptures are the comprehensive equipment of the man of God and fit him fully for all branches of his work” (PHILLIPS).

Four reasons to study and use the Bible:

1). To help me know God. Nature shows us how God is powerful, creative, and organized, and how he likes variety. But God reveals many other things about himself through the Bible. To know what God is like, I need the Bible.

2). To teach me the truth. In this age of truth decay, who am I going to trust? Politicians? Facebook? Twitter? The media? Jesus says, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32 TLB). When God speaks through the Bible, he offers eternal truth that I can count on.

3). To show me how to live. The Bible is God’s big instruction book. It includes the guidance I need to make life work.

4). To give me spiritual strength. God will always give me the power to do what he asks. You’ll find that power in the spiritual truth of his Word.

I never know what the day will bring me. But whatever it is, I can make sure I’m equipped with the Bible, God’s owner’s manual for life to guide me and provide the right perspective.

In summary, scriptures are the comprehensive equipment from God and fit me fully for all branches of my work. The Bible is God's inspired Word. I should read and apply it to my life. It is my standard for testing everything else that claims to be true. It is my safeguard against false teaching and my source of guidance for how I should live. Knowledge of God's Word is not useful unless it strengthens my faith and leads me to do good. It's the owners manual for life. It provides instructions and I can consult it when I need it. It helps me know God, teaches me the truth, shows me how to live, and gives me spiritual strength. 

Father, once again thank you for the reminder of what your Word means to me. I ask with the help of the Holy Spirit that I apply it constantly throughout my day. I also ask you for wisdom and guidance for today, my work, my tasks, my leadership and my interaction with others. These things I ask through your Son Jesus name, Amen.