EQUIPPED FOR PERFECTION

“That the man of God may be complete, thoroughly  EQUIPPED for every good works” – 2 Timothy 3:17

Every worthy pursuit in God’s Kingdom involves being EQUIPPED for PERFECTION: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3: 16-17). Distinction and Excellence do not come cheaply! Perfection is pursued through equipping by means of the Scriptures. The Word of God is living and powerful to accomplish all that God desires it to, concerning every aspect of our lives. This passage, which someone titled “A Call for Bible-saturated Christians” centres on the efficacy of God’s Word in equipping believers for perfection.

This letter was written by the apostle Paul to Timothy, his son in the faith, after many years as a pioneer missionary-church planter. Toward the end of his life, Paul wrote to Timothy, a young pastor, who probably had many years of ministry ahead of him, encouraging him to press on, stay faithful, live righteously, take courage, be loving, and preach the Word in season and out of season. He reminded him that, “all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (v.12). Timothy needed to come to grips with that reality and commit himself to be faithful to and with God’s Word no matter what; because it’s the Word that makes us wise unto salvation (v.15). That was Timothy’s testimony: he was raised in the nurture and admonition of the Holy Scriptures, through which he came to know Christ.

Paul affirmed with graceful finality that “all Scripture is breathed out by God” or “God-breathed”! He then used two pairs of words to expound on the sufficiency of Scripture (v.16b). The first pair encompasses doctrine (teaching) and reproof.  That’s why all Scripture – in both Testaments – must be studied. Reproof automatically follows teaching; and together they produce the boon of sound doctrine. The second pair – correction and instruction or training in righteousness – relates to conduct. God’s Word “corrects” or “straightens” out our lives, making us ready for the positive effect of “training in righteousness.” The Word doesn’t merely make us Christians, but grows or sanctifies us. The righteousness imputed on us by faith is actualized by training in the Word. The God-breathed Word is “profitable” for all of life – doctrine, duty, creed, and conduct!

In sum, Scripture does us good in four ways. First, it teaches us what to believe – Doctrine. Second, it teaches us what not to believe, warning against false doctrines – Reproof.  Next, it sets us right in living and conduct, showing us what to do and what not to do – Correction. Lastly, the Word trains or instructs in righteousness: “He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Mic.6:8). Grace in the Word trains us to renounce ungodliness and worldly lusts, and live soberly, righteously and godly (Tit.2:11-12). The Word instructs and transforms; it saves and sanctifies.

Ultimately, Scripture equips! The Word perfects: makes us “complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (v.17). So, the man of God is essentially a man of the Word. Scripture is profitable to make the Christian complete and equipped – fully capable to do every good work; and able to meet every divine demand. God uses His Word to make us faithful followers of Christ, and keep us faithfully following. God works through His Word to bring us to repentance and faith, to sanctify us, and to enable us overcome sin and pursue holiness. Through His Word He commands and commissions us and enables and equips us to follow and obey. He makes us faithful followers of Christ, true, steadfast, and persevering Christians.

We are nothing without the Word! God’s Word is sufficient and profitable to save, sanctify, and continually transform us into obedient Christians, until the day we see the Son of God face-to-face, and become like Him (1Jh. 3:2). God’s Word equips God’s people to follow God’s Son faithfully, until our faith becomes sight.