Sacred/Powerful Writings

Psalm 119:97-104, I Timothy 3:14-4:5

The sacred writings that the psalmist followed are described as God’s laws, commandments, precepts, decrees, and ordinances that he considers God’s word.

The New Testament finds these sacred writings to be scripture as told about in II Timothy. So, are we Christians of the New Testament free from the law which the psalmist praises? Well, the sacred writings of Timothy’s time were the Old Testament. Paul tells him to continue in what he has learned and has firmly believed.

Now as Paul talks about the sacred writings he is not just referring to them as literature but as scripture. They are inspired by God and are useful for teaching, or reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness. Scripture is what Paul calls sound teaching and he warns about those who listen to ones who deviate from it saying words that accommodate the listener’s desires. They wander away from truth and wander away to myths. This reminds us of the Greek and Roman mythology of the time.

The psalmist loves the law. He meditates on it all day long. God’s commandments make him wiser than his enemies and gives him more understanding than his teachers. Keeping God’s precepts – rules, holds him back from evil, making him hate every false way. In fact, he keeps from evil in order to keep God’s words. God’s precepts and ordinances – laws and divine commands leads him into understanding.

This goes along with Paul’s description of scripture as training in righteousness. It, like the law, makes one proficient and equipped to every good work. The understanding it brings the psalmist to hate falsehood – to hate the ones who do not teach the truth as mentioned in II Timothy.

Stressed by Paul to Timothy is the importance of teaching truth. He urges him to proclaim God’s message of salvation and be persistent in it to convince, rebuke, and encourage. He asks him to exercise the spiritual gift of patience in this endeavor which includes suffering. He is told to be sober and do the work of an evangelist- one who shares the good news of salvation in Christ.

How important is scripture to you? Do you study it for understanding? Do you consider it inspired by God? May you study these powerful sacred writings so you’ll be equipped to do good works for the Lord. Amen.

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