"Finish the Sentence for Pete's Sake"
I had a friend growing up who did everything he
could to avoid work.
Basically he was lazy. He made all kinds of excuses and
ironically worked hard at not working. For example, we would dig a ditch in the
backyard or attempt to tame the encroaching bamboo and he decided it was easier to watch than join the work party.
He decided
that he would be much more comfortable under the shade of the pepper tree and would then proceed to carry one box of junk after another from one corner of the yard to the other―stacking them just right in order to build himself a “cardboard box” chaise lounge.
By
the time we were done working, he ended up working about twice as hard as any of us,
working up a sweet―all with the goal in mind of avoiding work.
I marvel at how many Christians are like my friend
who put themselves through undo machinations and theological gymnastics as they
wrestle against scripture. Ironically, the passage of Scripture I have in mind
is 2 Timothy 3:16. This is one of those
verses most Christians should have some familiarity with.
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is
useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.”
Leading Evangelical Commentators say, “2 Tim 3:16 [has]
been foundational for our understanding of the nature of the divine inspiration
of Scripture.”
When people challenge our beliefs and ask, “How do you know the
Bible is true?”
2 Tim 3:16 is our apologetic “go-to” verse when
it comes to defending Scripture as the very Word of God―θεόπνευστος theopneustos―God breathed! AND, most Christians have a very reverential
respect for the power of God’s Word to change our lives.
After all, it is useful for “teaching” check―yep, it certainly is useful for
teaching. "Rebuking" check―I can certainly testify to
that. 
“Correcting” OUCH, but okay, check.
And for “training in all righteousness” Yay…less
painful, probably more difficult, but bring it on―check that one off!Look we have all the boxes filled in. We did great.
I trust that Scripture is the very breath of God check! I can trust in God's Word to have impact in my life check! I know it will be a difficult
process, but I’ll trust God’s Word to supernaturally effect my life. “I’ll submit to
its authority and see the impact on my life; I’ll look more like Jesus. I desire to grow and to be more like Him.”
There you have it. We made it through one verse. The
only problem is we didn’t even make it through one sentence. WE QUIT READING AT
THE COMMA and conveniently leave off the
remaining 14 words that specifically tells us what effect the Word of God is to
produce in us.
“Finish the sentence for Pete’s sake” (Technically Paul's sake), but you get the idea).
All four
things, mentioned in verse 16, work together “SO THAT [ἵνα hina]...”
Paul writes (under inspiration of the
Holy Spirit), “the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
R. C. H. Lenski puts it this way. “The [ἵνα hina] clause denotes the contemplated
result and is to be construed with all four phrases…and thus all these “so that…”
he who belongs to God may be fitted up as having been fully fitted for every
good work. There is nothing wanting in
the Christian’s outfit for work, in his equipment for what God expects him to
do.”
I find it so ironic in our land that flows with milk
and honey, in a culture that values hard work that Christians find loop holes; and offer a clever theological
work-around to explain away the equipping of God’s Word that equips us to do good work.
It is at though “work” is a Christian four-letter
word. We will work hard for advancement
and self-improvement. We have no problem in working for financial reward, in
climbing the corporate ladder and expend all kinds of energy at the gym in body
building and becoming better athletes.
We have a mantra of “No Pain. No gain” We have the willingness to work hard in a culture that provides opportunity for success.
But when it comes to Christianity it is as though we get spiritual amnesia when
it comes to these 14 “So That” words of 2 Tim 3:17 that are part and parcel to verse 16.
Here is one such clever rationalization, "I don’t dare want to apply them to my life for
fear that someone should accuse me of a “Works-Righteousness” theology."
Serious?
Most Christians who have a basic understanding
of Scripture and salvation know that we are not saved by works. We cease from striving in the work of our own self-righteousness and rest in the work of Jesus Christ on the
cross that we receive as a free gift of grace.
And yet, we forget the purpose of the Word of God
in our lives is to thoroughly equip us for every good work and like my friend we actually work harder at avoiding the very work God has ordained in advance that we
should walk in (Eph 2:10). Like my
friend, we spend a lot of time and energy defending a theology of personal laziness―when in reality we are busy doing everything else.
With great enthusiasm, we often point out 2 Timothy
3:16 professing our complete devotion and trust in God’s word, yet in the same
breath deny the power of God’s Word to bring about the intended effect in our
lives.
Maybe, this is why "The Prince of Preachers," Charles Spurgeon, was prompted to say, "Do something! Do Something" Do Something!"
So let me remind you in case any of us have forgotten those 14 words.
You are called by God.
You are uniquely and supernaturally equipped by His Spirit.
You were created for good works.
You are perfectly positioned for the work of
ministry that makes Him known and brings Him Glory.
Stop defending your right to be lazy and Do Something. With lives impacted by the grace of God and the Power of His Holy Presence―
GO MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
Q. By the grace or God and the empowerment of His Word and of His Holy Spirit at work in you - guess what?
A. YOU CAN DO IT... "Have the vision, make the decision" Mark Dahlin
