Where God's Love Leads...Looking at 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (part 4)

Another Monday post on Thursday {smiling}...

 Continuing the series that shows that "repentance" and being led into repentance is truly a 

love language...

love inspired...

love encompassed...

      

activity

  All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for
...training in righteousness...(RSV)

A brief review of different translations:

training in righteousness - NASB, NIV, ESV

instruction in righteousness - KJV, Darby, WEB, HCSB, Jubilee Bible

instruct in justice - Douay-Rheims Bible

instruction in right doing - Weymouth Bible

instruction that is in righteousness - Young's Literal Translation

for direction and for a course in righteousness - Aramaic Bible in Plain English

teaches us to do what is right - NLT

All these ideas are  rendered from a phrase "paideia en dekaiosyne" which means: 

 paideia:

1.  the whole training and education of children (which relates to the cultivation of mind and morals, and employs for this purpose now commands and admonitions, now reproof and punishment) It also includes the training and care of the body

2.  whatever in adults also cultivates the soul, esp. by correcting mistakes and curbing passions.

         en = in

dekaiosyne:

1.  In a broad sense: state of him who is as he ought to be,

2. righteousness, the condition acceptable to God

Sometimes, when we have had harsh "discipline" in our lives, we read this as using the Bible "as a hammer"...

but if reproof is the x-ray and correction is setting the broken bone or healing the injury, then we can think of training in righteousness as a time of physical therapy, in which the injured part is strengthened and brought back to its original functionality, or even better than original!  And that is consistent with the nature of God; the One Who sent His only begotten Son to die on a cross for us!  He doesn't leave us to figure this out on our own, or sit in judgement on our frailty, but along with the provision for eternal life, He provides for our walking through this life in His light as well!

I will not leave you as orphans

He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—

how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 

He knows we are but grass

He has given us all things that pertain to life and Godliness...

Who can separate us from His love?  There is no one and no thing!

Where God's Love Leads...Looking at 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (part 3)

A Monday post on Thursday - finally getting a little caught up on the series here {smiling}...

We've been looking at the idea of leading to repentance and love, and how this leading is an act of true grace...

Today we will look at the idea of "correction" as stated in 2 Timothy 3:16 (NASB): 

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for
...correction...

In the margin of my Bible, I have this note written (from my days studying counseling at Bible College): 

"Correction = a changing activity.  The same word as for setting a broken bone (healing injury)"

In every common Bible translation, the Greek word  ἐπανόρθωσις is rendered "correction" or "to correct" or "correcting".  Only one, Young's Literal Translation, uses a different phrase, and that is "for setting aright".  The short definition in Strong's concordance is: correction, reformation, setting straight (right) again.

It is easier to see this as a gentle action when looking at this word alone, isolating it from the sequence of words in the verse.  When I read it directly after the word "reproof" - and even if I know the real meaning of it - the feeling of chastisement is immediate!  I totally block out the "profitable" adjective, and the truth that teaching and being taught is an incredibly fun activity!  

And when I remember that "reproof" is really "shedding an x-ray beam of light" into my soul, and "correction" is a repairing or a reforming of someplace that has been injured,  I welcome this work of the Word!  (Even if it is a little painful for a brief moment of time...)

I love that thought of "setting right again"!  Sometimes old tapes start playing in my head, and I need to "be set right again".  Maybe another person has spoken unkindly to me, and I need a little "setting right again".  Perhaps my husband hasn't met my personal expectation, and I need a little "setting straight".  Or life is pressing in, bearing down on me and that pushes me out of that place of abiding and I need a course correction. 

God's love and devotion to us are what sends the adjustments we need our way...I am betting that you can remember times when a friend has shared a verse that perfectly lifted your spirits up, maybe even not knowing that you needed it!  Or of times when you turned on the radio or TV and heard just the perfect teaching; or a snippet of song; or a testimony - and God used it to encourage you and get you back on track with Him.  Or you were reading along in a familiar passage of Scripture, and all of a sudden a verse or phrase "leaps off the page" to speak to you in a way you never considered before - addressing the very heart issue that you most needed help with at that moment.  These "course corrections" are as necessary as the little adjustments we constantly make as we drive, to keep our vehicle heading in the right direction and on the proper side of the road.  

Occasionally, the reformation needed, or the setting straight of a broken place, requires the help of a skilled surgeon.    Just as it is almost impossible to set our own bones, so it is that sometimes we need another person to "set straight" the broken places of our souls.  These are the times when we could enlist the service of someone who is more experienced in the ways of the Lord to help us sort out what we need.

But what happens if we find ourselves totally lost, having made some wrong turns and maybe even using an old map (old choices, old habits)?  Well, even then we are not lost to God's love; and that situation is what we will look at next...

Till next time, abundant blessings to you...

Where God's Love Leads...Looking at 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (part 2)

 After our first week of "back to homeschool", I am back to Monday posts!

We've been looking at the idea of leading to repentance and love, and how this leading is an act of true grace...

Today we will look at the idea of "reproof" as stated in 2 Timothy 3:16 (NASB):

 

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable...for reproof...

What is your 'gut' reaction when you read that word "reproof"?  Do you feel the cringe of criticism?  The flush of guilt?  A feeling of never being enough or of wrongdoing?  Do you feel a sense of security and peace, knowing that a correction to keep you from danger has been offered?  This word is also translated: 

rebuke - HSCB

correction - ISV, Douay-Rheims Bible, others

pointing out errors - God's Word Translation

 conviction - Darby Bible Translation

convincing - Weymouth New Testament

to make us realize what is wrong in our lives - New Living Translation 

I wonder what the dictionary definition of "reproof" is...a brief search brings forth:  1) an act or expression of criticism and censure; 2) criticism for a fault (first known recorded use in the 14th century); and 3) from the Late Latin reprobāre, which means "to disapprove of"; the added meaning of "shame or disgrace" came later.

Wait, the shame and disgrace didn't come till later?  Criticism for a fault became part of its definition in the 14th century?  I wonder...could it have meant something else before the Middle Ages; as in when the original Apostles were ministering and writing what was to become the New Testament?

Remember how in the first post of this series, that God's love and His kindness are what leads to repentance?  What if "reproof" was originally a "love language" - and the definition has been distorted over the years.  What if...we have cringed over this word when we might have leaned into Him to hear His heartbeat?  What if love shown a light into the dark - hard to see, impossible to see - places...and shown so much light there that what is needed to bring correction (think healing) is plain to see?  Like a doctor taking an x-ray to see where the damage is in order to do precise, targeted surgery. 

According to Thayer's Lexicon of the Greek language, the word translated "reproof" does carry such a meaning...elegchō: by conviction to bring to light, expose...   

Can you envision the Great Physician shining His x-ray light into the areas of your life in order to show where  - the break, the tumor, the tear, the foreign particle - is that is causing problems?  And He is gentle and kind, inviting you to take a look, to perhaps agree, and then to embark on a plan of treatment together.  And since the Physician has such a bedside manner, He encourages His helpers to have a like spirit:

...we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children.. 

The Lord's bond-servant must not quarrel, but must be gentle to everyone, 

able to teach, and patient... 

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without favoritism and hypocrisy.
 

If reproof comes as a life giving light, and with gentle instruction, I believe I could be convinced to change my thinking, my direction, and let Him change my heart...wouldn't you?

Till next time, abundant blessings to you...

Where God's Love Leads...looking at 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Last week I talked a little about how our perception of God colors our desire and readiness to go to Him when we are struggling...
This week I want to dive a little deep into a familiar passage of Scripture - one that maybe your children have even memorized - and yet you may not think of it as one of those places that reflect the deep kindness of God that leads us into repentance, because this is the path to healing of the soul(!) ...it is 2 Timothy 3:16-17:

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. NASB

I memorized these two verses under a program that used it as a "proof" text for the fact that God is the One who is truly behind the writing of Scripture, and that the Bible is the only inerrant source of information...BUT, I was never taught about the foundations of soul care and inner healing that it contained! That is, not until I was in my master's level program for counseling! And now, today, free of charge {smiling}, I will share this immense insight with you!  And I hope it continues to transform your thoughts about helping a person bring forth their sins to a point of repentance, because of the true healing and love that repentance produces! Here we go....

There are four activities specifically mentioned that the Scripture profits us in...

teaching

reproof (or rebuke or conviction -

depending on your translation)

correction

training in righteousness 

In my Bible I have notes written by this verse...that:  

1 - teaching is a judging activity: this is NOT the kind of judging that Christians are exhorted NOT to do to others (judge not, lest you be judged); which has an implication of condemnation or punishment, but judging in the sense of discerning what is correct and what is incorrect.  In fact, the word translated "judge" in 1 Corinthians 6:3 (krinō), originally meant "separate." So Homer, of Ceres was separating, krino, the grain from the chaff (Iliad, v, 501). Thence, the word means 'to distinguish, to pick out, to be of opinion, to judge'. John 7:24 commands us to "NOT judge (krino) by appearances, but to judge (krino) with righteous judgment".  In other words, don't use our own personal preferences or opinions to judge a situation as right or wrong or even if another is acting appropriately or not; righteous judgement comes from the word of God.  So we are to judge according to what the Scriptures say.  And how do we learn how to accurately use the Scripture?  Through being taught by wise and seasoned teachers of the Word.

Teaching is sometimes an overlooked part of any act of correction - in our culture it is important to make sure our definitions are the same as the person's we are talking to.  This small act of clarification is a form of learning/instruction.  Perhaps the person in need of correction has never been taught a certain segment of Scripture that speaks directly to their issue.  What a relief and joy springs to their heart and mind when they know what God has expressly said!  Sometimes we in Christian circles forget that others, even in this great country of ours, have never read the Bible or heard certain segments of it.  Or perhaps they have heard some good teaching and then some contradictory argument, and subsequently have abandoned trying to find the truth.  These gentle hearts are in need of encouragement and help. 


In the counseling room, this act of teaching is indispensable.  Frequently a little instruction and a little discipleship (teaching the counselee how to study the Word and hear God on their own) is all that is required for their lives to get on track.

Parents can discipline their children for acts of misconduct when the parent has never instructed the child in what correct behavior is.  Somehow that very important step has been overlooked; we think that children will just assimilate from thin air what is right to do and then do it!  A good parenting tip is to do a self check when you find yourself starting to get angry at your children, and make sure that they truly understand what was expected of them.  Even if you are confident that you have taught them properly before the current indiscretion, it is always a good idea to take the opportunity to repeat the instruction in proper behavior to make sure they understand.  THEN, once you are sure they understand and they have still misbehaved, your well thought out consequences will be much more effective!

Our heavenly Father knows that  we are as children - and being a perfect parent, He doesn't hesitate to repeat instruction until we "get it"...one of the ways that His kindness leads us to repentance, the turning from wrong behavior to right...

Well, I originally thought I would get through this entire passage in one day, but as this one segment is getting quite long, I will stop here and do a deeper look into the section of "reproof" or "conviction" next week!

I love hearing from you; your thoughts and additional points to the topic!  Blessings...

Where God's Love Leads - When your heart needs an x-ray...

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It is amazing to me that we have technology to look inside our living bodies...to see all the specific components that God pulled together to create the house for our eternal spirits. It truly makes me pause in awe and wonder...

And I am flooded with the idea that God sees like this into our "spiritual hearts" -

"...man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.”  - 1 Samuel 16:7 ESV

All is laid bare before Him, there is nothing hidden, nothing that He does not see...

"...the one who examines me is the Lord. Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him from God."  1 Corinthians 4:4b-5 NASB

And also consider Psalm 139:1-8...

All these verses I am quoting are spoken from the heart of One who is confident of the love of God towards us...the Holy Spirit!  In fact, one of His jobs is to convince us of God's love! (Romans 5:5)

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{When God thinks of you, He makes His Hands into a heart...}

When we "see" God has punitive and harsh, we do the same thing that Adam and Eve did, after the fall...we try to hide, try to cover up our sin, and in that stay stuck in our shame and guilt.  But just as He continued to call to these two in the Garden (because He did know exactly where they were, what had happened, and what to do about it); He continues to call forth to us, imploring us to relinquish our fallen attempts at fixing ourselves, so we can receive true healing and help for our hurts and mistakes (sin, perhaps?)...

But if we "see" Him and His convicting work as kindness; don't we feel safe to go to Him, even in the midst of our unrest and mess?  And give Him all that mess like it is a precious gift (after all, why would we hang onto it for so long if it wasn't "precious" in some way?  Even if the only way it is precious is that we don't know who we are or how to behave without it in our lives?)

Does the x-ray vision of God frighten you?  Or does it comfort you?

He longs for us to be free from every burden and weight of sin that entangles, so that we can live abundantly and purposefully...

Let Him take that x-ray, let Him bring you forth into a place of true healing and rest and wholeness...

                                     

                        

Then, He can take you from this:

to this...

full color, full life, fullness...in Him...

Is there any reason we wouldn't want this?!

More next Monday...

Where God's love leads - it could be a surprise...

Hearts for a "Fat Book" exchange on courage...

 At prayer team, we have been praying through and discussing what appears to be a disconnect within some believers...

The concept of grace...

How do a grace-filled people walk in their new life in Christ?  How do they support the convicting work of the Holy Spirit without moving in judgement?  How do we become a paraclete when our own lives fall so far short?

What causes our struggle in this area that covers so much of the New Testament?  Because this issue is so often addressed in Scripture, I can take comfort in the fact that believers have struggled with this concept for millennium!  And why even be concerned, when we know that God sees all of us through the filter of the finished work of Jesus Christ?   Indeed yes, why?  The thought comes to my mind that perhaps we are undecided, confused about an issue - the issue of "is God a God of love?" or is "God a God of justice?"  And I am not immune to this confusion!  But, because we are exploring this in our team, I thought I would share my thoughts, and our thoughts, here...

The first verse that the Spirit really gave me for this series is from Romans, Chapter 2.  I encourage you to read the entire chapter...but this is the specific verse:

 "...that the kindness of God leads you to repentance..."  Romans 2:4b (NASB)

To restate this portion of the verse, with all the definitions of the original Greek written out, the verse would read as follows:

God furnishes what is useful, gentle, pleasant, kind, beneficial, well-fitted and suitable to lead, bring, carry us towards a change of our mind and a change in our inner man...

In short, when we encounter the incredible eternal, deep, unconditional love of God, that encounter brings everything needed to change our heart and minds!  That is powerful!

But once we have encountered this "kindness" for the first time, and received our salvation, how does "the kindness that leads to repentance" apply to the rest of our earthly lives?

      We will be exploring that thought here on Mondays for the next several weeks...