Breathing It In...Living It Out

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

Good work is God’s work. And without God’s word we would be woefully inadequate. No matter what God is calling us to do…without His word we cannot do work out His will. His word is our manual of reference. We seek His wisdom whenever we tackle a problem, design a system, fix a flat, plant a garden, or preach a sermon. Paul is writing specifically to a pastor but the principle remains. Scripture equips a man to work the work of God. Before a man can do any of God’s good work in this old world, the man must be prepared for the task. He must be made adequate. God’s good work is all about reclaiming this world and our hearts for righteousness. We won’t know the standard of godly dealings, regardless of our vocation, unless we know God’s standard of righteousness. We find them in His word. And He begins His work with the man of God. Are you adequate to pursue the goal of righteousness in the world? Are you making a difference in the way you do what you do by being different? Are you satisfied with satisfactory standards or do you strive for excellence? Do people know you to be a godly person in the workplace, one they can trust when they trust you with their car, their food, their child, their health, or their soul? When the work God calls you to do overwhelms you and brings you to a place of inadequacy, turn to God’s word for His wisdom. It is here we can trust God for our training. His Word, our training manual, is always updated, always adequate because it is the very breath of the Living God. A dead man cannot speak about life.  God's word breathes into me...but I must be taking it in.  God will work His good work in me before I am able to work His good work in the world.    And His word is always enough. Breathe it in…live it out.