The Bethany Bullet - Week of October 16, 2016

“Follow the Leader…Lead the Followers”

Text: 2 Timothy 3:14-16

“Everything in Scripture is God’s Word.  All of it is useful for teaching and helping people and for correcting them and showing them how to live.”  II Timothy 3:15-16

This passage proclaims beautifully the very thing the Reformers sought to expound with “Sola Scriptura.”  The Word, and the Word alone, is the source of what we Christians believe and how we Christians will behave.

So, what has the Scripture taught?  To Timothy himself, through the letters Paul sent him, we have learned that:

               

                God is righteous. 

That is: His essence is Holiness, His presence is fullness and His business is graciousness.

                We, by declaration are righteous.

That is: While we by nature are fallen, broken and guilty of sin; God by grace has proclaimed that He sees us as if Christ’s righteousness were our own, for it is through faith.

                We are to be, righteous.

That is: At home and at work, in school and on the playground, in our community and congregation we are to be who He has declared us to be.  How?  Love God, love neighbor.  Embrace mercy, act justly, and walk humbly with God.  Be the ambassador of Christ God has called you to be.  And when we fail, for we surely shall, return to our righteous God in repentance and hear again that glorious truth, that you on account of Christ are righteous in the sight of God.

-Pastor Kevin Kritzer