In 2 Timothy 3:16-17 I read, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.” (NLT)
The best translation of the Bible is the one I translate into my life. That’s what Bible study is all about. If I’m not translating God’s Word into my life, I’m not studying the Bible the way God intended.
God gave us the Bible to transform us, not simply to inform us. It should give us a bigger heart, not a bigger head. In the book of James, I’m reminded, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says” (James 1:22 NIV).
In other words, God wants my beliefs turned into behavior.
God makes his purpose for the Bible even more explicit in 2 Timothy 3:16-17: “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work” (NLT).
The purpose of the Bible is more than just showing me what is wrong in my life or how I should live. God gave us his Word to radically transform life.
The Bible describes itself in different ways. For example, it calls itself a hammer, a sword, and a scalpel. All of those are tools designed to make radical changes. God intends for the Bible to dramatically change my life.
The Bible also describes God’s truth as milk, water, bread, and meat. What do all those things have in common? If I don’t eat or drink regularly, then I’ll die. In the same way, I was never meant to live without the Bible. The Bible is essential because it gives us life.
We call the Bible “God’s Word,” but the Bible also talks about Jesus as the Word of God. John 1:14 says, “So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son” (NLT). God gave me the Living Word, Jesus, to be the Author and Finisher of my faith. And he gave me the written Word, the Bible, to prepare me to live out my faith.
The Bible can transform my life today—but I’ll have to open it up and start reading!
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