The Sufficiency Of Scripture

by L.A. Hickling | Category: General | Mar 1990

In his second letter to Timothy the apostle Paul refers to the fact that Timothy had been familiar with the Scriptures from his earliest days (3:15). This was because of the faith held by his mother and grandmother (1:5). They passed on to the child the value they set on the reading of the Scriptures, and we may well follow the example of those two women in seeing to it that the young people of today are not ignorant of the sacred writings. The apostle goes on in that letter to enumerate some of the things for which the inspired Scriptures are Profitable (3:16).

The Scriptures are able to make wise unto salvation. Speaking of the

Old Testament Scriptures the Lord Jesus Himself said that they testified of Him. Then in the New Testament Scriptures we have the inspired record of His life, death, burial and resurrection. There are many things about the life of the Lord Jesus that we do not know. John took account of this when he wrote:

And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that should be written (John 21:25).

While it is true that much more could be written, sufficient has been written to make us wise unto salvation. When making reference to the many things that have not been written John defined the purpose of the things that had been written:

But these are written that ye may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye may have life in His name (John 20:31).

In his speech to the elders of the Jews, as recorded in Acts chapter 4, Peter also said:

And in none other is there salvation: for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, wherein we must be saved (v.12).

So we are left in no doubt that salvation and eternal life come not through anything that we can do, but only through Christ.

He that hath the Son hath the life: he that hath not the Son of God hath not the life (1 John 5:12).

In his second letter to Timothy Paul goes on to show that the Scriptures are not only able to make us wise unto salvation, but they also show us the way to live as children of God in a godless world (v.16).

The Scriptures are profitable for teaching. What we know of God we know by revelation, and in the Scriptures He has given us that revelation of Himself, His holiness, His mercy, His love, His purpose for mankind, the way to worship Him, and much else. We shall be on sound ground if we take our teaching from the sacred writings.

The Scriptures are profitable for reproof. In our daily lives we do many

things that fall short of God's standard. We may not be aware of some of them until we view our lives in the light of God's Word, and the Holy Spirit shows us where we have gone wrong. May we take heed to the Spirit's promptings as He speaks to our conscience. Let us remember too the provision that has been made for us when we sin, and avail ourselves of the work of our Advocate, Jesus Christ.

Having been reproved, we need correction, and here again the Scriptures are adequate for our needs. In Psalm 119:9 it is written:

Wherewithall shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to Thy Word.

Finally, the Scriptures are profitable for instruction in righteousness. In the sermon on the mount the Lord Jesus said:

Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled (Mat. 5:6).

Those who live in lands where famine stalks could no doubt tell us of the intensity of hunger and thirst as they long for food and water. Such intensity should characterize our desire for righteousness; right relationships with God and man. The Scriptures will give us the needed instruction in the way of righteousness.

The Bible is a book for every day. In a world of uncertainty and materialism "it is a lamp unto my feet, and light unto my path" (Ps. 119:105). Many have resolved that each day some time be found for the reading of God's Word, and they have found that the time has not been wasted.

L.A. Hickling | Mar 1990
General