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All Scripture Is Given

INTRODUCTION: The Holy Scriptures have been preserved, translated, and spread around the world to accomplish that which the LORD God has determined by his own authority. The Word of God to mankind will stand as reliable truth with ultimate completion of his plan and purpose as all things are made new when Christ appears in his kingdom. The truth begins with the creator God at the beginning of Genesis, and the Bible documents the most important periods of history that we could ever study, up through the period of Christ and his apostles. God's Word also documents many already fulfilled prophecies beginning in the books of Moses, onward and into the Psalms, and in books of the prophets. We can know for certain that those things recorded for the future will surely come to pass. Throughout scripture we have the commands of God, many practical examples and guiding principles, and in the Psalms authentic emotion ranging from overflowing praise of God to confession and asking for mercy. There is much we can learn from the many details about men and women who lived out their faith in God even before the birth of Christ, which can encourage us to live out our faith until his return for all of his elect. We can see throughout scripture that God offers his mercy by grace through faith for those who will believe and follow his ways, as they forsake the ways of the world and the vain philosophies of men.

NOTE: Bible passages are from the American King James Version.

A - GOD IS THE CREATOR, THE ONLY GOD, AND OUR REDEEMER

Genesis 1 "1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth."
Genesis 1 "27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them."
Deuteronomy 4 "39 Know therefore this day, and consider it in your heart, that the LORD he is God in heaven above, and on the earth beneath: there is none else."
Job 19 "25 For I know that my redeemer lives, and that he shall stand at the latter day on the earth: 26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: 27 Whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me."

Psalm 14 "1 The fool has said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that does good."
Psalm 49 "15 But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah."
Psalm 90 "2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, you are God."
Isaiah 45 "18 For thus said the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he has established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else."
Isaiah 45 "21 Tell you, and bring them near; yes, let them take counsel together: who has declared this from ancient time? Who has told it from that time? Have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Savior; there is none beside me. 22 Look to me, and be you saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else."
Jeremiah 10 "10 But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation."
Hosea 13 "4 Yet I am the LORD your God from the land of Egypt, and you shall know no god but me: for there is no savior beside me."

COMMENTS: At the very beginning of Genesis, and at the beginning of the gospel of John, it is affirmed for us that God is the creator of everything in heaven and earth. Though man may propose that there are many gods, or there is no god at all, throughout scripture it is affirmed that God exists and there is only one true God. God created the entire natural realm on the earth in his predetermined pattern, including mankind, and it is foolish for anyone to believe that there is no God. The LORD is Redeemer and Savior and the only way to have life after the death of the body, as proclaimed by Job and others even before the time of Jesus. Since Christ has now appeared, we must receive the gift of eternal life by accepting salvation in Christ by grace through faith.

B - SEEK THE LORD AND CALL UPON HIS NAME BY FAITH

Genesis 4 "26 And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call on the name of the LORD."
Psalm 32 "1 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. 2 Blessed is the man to whom the LORD imputes not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile."
Psalm 99 "6 Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon the LORD, and he answered them."
Isaiah 55 "6 Seek you the LORD while he may be found, call you on him while he is near: 7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. 8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, said the LORD. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. 10 For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and returns not thither, but waters the earth, and makes it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: 11 So shall my word be that goes forth out of my mouth: it shall not return to me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it."

John 10 "27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give to them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. 30 I and my Father are one."
Romans 4 "3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. 4 Now to him that works is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that works not, but believes on him that justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. 6 Even as David also describes the blessedness of the man, to whom God imputes righteousness without works, 7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. 8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
Romans 10 "13 For whoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved."
Romans 11 "33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! 34 For who has known the mind of the Lord? or who has been his counselor? 35 Or who has first given to him, and it shall be recompensed to him again? 36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen."

Hebrews 11 "4 By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaks. 5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."

COMMENTS: We must seek the abundant mercy of God as we call upon his name to give us the pardon of our sin. This was true even while Adam was still living and in the days of his son named Seth, and his grandson named Enos as men then began to call upon the name of the LORD. The scripture makes it clear that no person can be righteous before God, except by forsaking the ways of the world and believing on him that justifies the ungodly. That faith in God, not our own works, is counted for righteousness. Down through many centuries, scripture documents that those who come to the LORD must have the faith to believe that he is God, and that he rewards those who diligently seek him.

Enoch, the seventh from Adam, is recorded in scripture as the first one who did not see death because he pleased God and was translated from this world to the eternal one. His example, and that of the prophet Elijah being taken up, presents a preview of being "caught up" which the Apostle Paul speaks of in his first letter to the Thessalonians. The writers of scripture often use references to other passages because the Word of God is consistent within itself and intricately directed through each writer by the Holy Spirit.

C - SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES FIRST

Matthew 22 "29 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. 30 For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. 31 But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have you not read that which was spoken to you by God, saying, 32 I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. 33 And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine."

John 5 "39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me."
Acts 17 "2 And Paul, as his manner was, went in to them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, 3 Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach to you, is Christ."
Acts 17 "10 And the brothers immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night to Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. 12 Therefore many of them believed; also of honorable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few."
Romans 15 "4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope."

COMMENTS: The New Testament scriptures are firmly validated by the Old Testament scriptures. Jesus quoted from the Old Testament to point out to the Sadducees their error in doctrine as they did not believe in the resurrection from the dead. Christ and the apostles often pointed to the Old Testament to show that the Word of God is reliable to connect the unfolding stages of history under the plan and purpose of God. Jesus directed attention to the scriptures for those who trusted in them for eternal life, so they would see that he was indeed the promised Messiah. When the Apostle Paul first went to synagogues to preach Christ to the Jews and the proselytes, he used the scriptures to prove that Jesus is the Christ.

The Bereans were not just convinced by the sound doctrine Paul used, but they made their own personal inquiry into scripture to validate what they heard. This approach can become an exciting adventure through the Word of God for those who want to substantiate the accuracy of teaching or preaching that they hear.

D - ALL SCRIPTURE IS PROFITABLE

Deuteronomy 8 "3 And he humbled you, and suffered you to hunger, and fed you with manna, which you knew not, neither did your fathers know; that he might make you know that man does not live by bread only, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of the LORD does man live."
Psalm 119 "105 Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path."
Proverbs 30 "5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him."

Matthew 4 "4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God."
2 Timothy 3 "16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished to all good works."
2 Corinthians 12 "7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I sought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest on me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong."
James 4 "10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up."

COMMENTS: One of the most basic drives in life is the need to satisfy hunger for food. Scripture teaches us that man does not live by bread only, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of the LORD. An important point to be seen first in Deuteronomy is that the LORD allowed the children of Israel to be physically hungry, causing them to be humbled in their inability to satisfy that hunger. He then miraculously provided manna to demonstrate that he can be the source to satisfy our needs even beyond the natural. When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness by Satan after a very long fast, he quoted the latter part of that Deuteronomy passage, showing that spiritual nourishment is not to be secondary to physical needs. Paul wrote two letters to Timothy to guide him in his leadership role in the local church. He stressed the importance of all scripture to Timothy for the many aspects it provides for Christian growth to produce good works for the Lord.

In 2 Corinthians Paul explained his view of the "thorn in the flesh" that he carried so that all glory would go to the Lord, and Paul would not be elevated before others because of his great teaching. Humility, or weakness, can be a great blessing if it leads to having more strength in the Lord. James taught that we must first humble ourselves before God will lift us up.

E - LOOK UP AND LIFT UP YOUR HEAD TO THE EVERLASTING KINGDOM

Isaiah 45 "21 Tell you, and bring them near; yes, let them take counsel together: who has declared this from ancient time? who has told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Savior; there is none beside me. 22 Look to me, and be you saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. 23 I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That to me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear."

Luke 20 "37 Now that the dead are raised, even Moses showed at the bush, when he calls the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. 38 For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live to him."
Luke 22 "28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draws near."
John 14 "1 Let not your heart be troubled: you believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to myself; that where I am, there you may be also."

1 Thessalonians 4 "15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain to the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord."
1 Corinthians 2 "12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Ghost teaches; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness to him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."

2 Peter 1 "5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that you shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But he that lacks these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and has forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. 10 Why the rather, brothers, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if you do these things, you shall never fall: 11 For so an entrance shall be ministered to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
Revelation 21 "1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 5 And he that sat on the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said to me, Write: for these words are true and faithful."

COMMENTS: The conclusion of all things in the present world lies only in the hands of God. There is a time coming when every knee shall bow to the LORD and every tongue shall confess before him. The LORD is not a God of the dead, but of the living, for all live to him. When the end of the world is near, that should comfort the Christian, because that means full redemption is also near. Jesus Christ will return to take his own to the place he has prepared for them as the dead in Christ arise first, and then any who are yet alive will be caught up in the clouds, and together all of them will be with him forever. Paul taught that we have received the spirit which is of God that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. They do not come to us from the wisdom of man, but as we compare spiritual things with spiritual things. The unconverted natural man cannot understand these things because they are spiritually discerned, and they even seem foolish to him. While we wait for Christ to return, we need to show the work of the LORD within us, expectant as Peter said, that "an entrance shall be ministered to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
John received the words to write in Revelation of a new heaven and a new earth, and I believe those words are absolutely trustworthy and true.

--- REFLECTIONS IN PRAYER ---

Your Word, Lord, is so all encompassing that I struggled to find ways to adequately group the scriptures that I searched out under each heading to present a progressive consideration, while realizing that there is much interrelationship throughout scripture. I received a personal blessing as I reviewed so many more verses than those I employed, and I tried to take care to choose verses based on their context, not just individual content. I firmly believe that all scripture has been given to accomplish your intents and purposes in the hearts of those who seek to know you better. I was stimulated afresh to consider more targeted study of various topics that contain certain words and phrases. I also was reminded, Lord, that a careful reading of complete books in the Bible can provide me with an appreciation of the special content that was given to those writers by the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Help me, Lord, to separate the wisdom of men from my study if that wisdom will prevent me from receiving that which is only spiritually discerned. I am thankful for the grace that you have provided from the beginning of time, for all who will seek you with their whole heart. Give me a desire, Lord, to show the hope that is within me by abounding in love for others, as I also look to you for strength to develop more fully the qualities described in scripture for the child of God. I want to be faithful to you until I experience my time when I am absent from the body and present with the Lord. Hallelujah, amen.

Published 3 February 2014 with format revisions 31 jan 2017