“All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man or woman of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NASB)
In our Thursday night Bible Study Class, as I tend to do in most sessions, I asked the attendees, after discussing the content of a verse or verses, to share some takeaways from the time of our text and apply them to our times. I do this to emphasize profitability, ensure applicability is understood, and ensure “thoroughrocity.” (The latter is not a real word; I just made it up to fit a poetic pattern of speech in the sentence. But I was merely pointing to being complete as possible in teaching. Smile!) Stop laughing and keep reading!
On one occasion Thursday night, I asked how Jesus’ actions in some of the verses in Mark’s Gospel showed exactly how He took His disciples through various stages of development was applicable to us. The soon to be Lead Pastor attending the class, my oldest son, he said, “Everything that applied to the disciples in our text applies to us.” That was a concise, compact, and completely accurate response. Later in the class I asked how the methodology used by Jesus in another passage, as He was continuing to develop His disciples can benefit us in terms of our development. My older brother, Dr. King, gave an even shorter, abbreviated response than my son, “Cut and paste.” Everybody got it immediately. The meaning was that the development techniques used by Jesus were once again applicable to us as well. I commented, “Let me write that down. That sound like a good meditation topic.” So, here we are! There is a worthwhile point to me made.
Here is that “cut and paste” point: The specific messages sent by God, messages containing principles for righteous living and living a life pleasing to God should be cut and pasted in our hearts. Doing so will help us live up to our calling to be His disciples. Consequently, as a result, we will be effective in doing our work of making disciples.
The familiar opening verses speak to the profitability of adopting the “cut and paste” approach to studying God’s word, and the closing verse substantiates that this same approach will keep us from sin.
Have a great day in worship service this morning! Whatever specific message the Lord sends specifically to you by His specific messenger, for a specific purpose, I hope you apply “cut and paste.” Be blessed!
I have treasured Your word in my heart, so that I may not sin against You.” (Psalm 119:11 NASB)
Committed to the climb,
Mark L. King