The Competent Christian (a play on the title of my favorite book)

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV)
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

In reading my discipleship book this morning it asked a question about the verse above: How does Scripture equip us for every good work?

The NIV reads verse 17 as "so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." But it missed the "competent" part found in the ESV above. The word "competent" means "having suitable or sufficient skill, knowledge, experience, etc., for some purpose" (dictionary.com). When we study Scripture we gain the knowledge, skills, and understanding of what and how God wants us to fulfill His purpose and call for our lives. What is the good work scripture is talking about here? The work of God in and through us. We cannot assume that we will become closer to God, understand His calling for us, or even do His calling for us if we are not looking into His word on a regular, daily basis for instruction and encouragement.

We cannot be equipped or competent unless we go to the source of truth: God. And what better way to hear from God than through His Word which is right in front of our face.

Go to God and Start With His Word

Psalm 119:9-16 (ESV)
9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. 10 With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! 11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. 12 Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your statutes! 13 With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth. 14 In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches. 15 I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. 16 I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.

At our coffee time at Black Sheep Coffee in Sioux Falls, I had a conversation a number of months ago with fellow pastors. When speaking about what the Christian life is and how to live it one pastor made a comment about how pastors need to get away from suggesting only reading the Bible as a solution for sinful lives. It wasn't that he was suggesting not to read the Bible but he felt that there was much more to it than that. In other words, if someone comes up to me with a sin issue I should do more for him than just referring him back to reading, meditating on, and applying scripture to his issue. On the surface I can agree to this thought. But today I read the passage above from Psalm 116:9-16. It seems very clear from this passage that in order to keep my ways pure from sin or from leading away from God I need to live according to God's word. In fact, there are quite a few references just in these eight verses to following the word of God.

"I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you" (11).

"In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches" (14).

"I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word" (16).

I do feel there are other ways in addition to reading, meditating, and applying the Word of God (accountability partners, prayer, confession, etc.), but it seems that the best way to deal with our sinfulness is to go to God's Word, hid it in our hearts, and use the power of God through those words to change our hearts and minds for Christ Jesus.

So, where should we lead people who are struggling with sin? Directly to God's Word for strength, endurance, and hope. I can't think of a better place to send them. Can you?