“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it… And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:1–5 ; 14

I love how in John’s Gospel account, he is inspired to tell of God’s heart for His Word as present at the beginning of creation, the substance of its life, light, and creative power, as well as its full revealing in His Son, Jesus Christ.

The simplicity of it is this: I value the Scriptures as the word of God, the inspired prophetic utterance tested against the Scriptures as the word of God, and Jesus Christ as THE WORD OF GOD with His exemplary life as the ideal life to which we want our lives conformed.

THE KINGDOM TEXTBOOK

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all long-suffering and teaching.”  2 Timothy 3:16–4:2

Let me say that a different way. The Bible contains instruction for all manner of basic living including: how you should live, what kind of person to marry, what manner of work ethic you should have, proper sexual orientation, the days we are living in now, and much more! Paul the Apostle calls Timothy to preach it at all times in all kinds of situations. Why?

THE WARNING

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”  2 Timothy 4:3–5

Along with helpful teaching in godly living, Paul releases a prophecy to Timothy warning him that people, even in the Church, will no longer endure sound teaching, but will heap up teachers who tell them what they want to hear and what feels good to their desire to “do what is right in their own eyes.” There is a time coming, and really NOW is, when society and what shows itself as the Church is turning AWAY from the truth of God’s word and teaching.

The Scriptures go as far as to say:

“And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”  2 Thessalonians 2:11–12

The last thing that I want is for GOD to send what He calls STRONG DELUSION on me so that I believe the lie with the intention that I be condemned. So CLEARLY, loving the truth as defined by God in His word is important.

THE GREAT NEED

Therefore it is imperative in this hour that God raise up communities of His people who love the truth of His word, gather to hear it taught, and order their lives according to its instruction that they might be conformed in God’s grace to Christ’s life. With God’s help, I plan on establishing such a community! 🙂

Grace, Peace, and Blessings!

Jimmy Nimon | MESSENGER