Scripture: The story of God’s love for all.

Second Reading: 2 Timothy 3:14-17

14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15 and how from childhood you have known sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 so that the person of God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.

I have several questions I’d like ask the writer of 1st and 2nd Timothy. (Most scholars think the author was someone else writing in the style of Paul.) One of the questions I’d like to ask them would be about verse 3:16. When he says, “All scripture is inspired by God,” what does he consider scripture?

The writers of the letters didn’t know they were writing Scripture. The gospels had only just begun to make their rounds when this was written. Certainly, the Old Testament was there, but the official list of books wasn’t official yet. Did this writer ever think that his own words would resonate through history this long?

Don’t get me wrong; I agree with the statement. There are Bible verses and stories that I don’t like, but the book wasn’t written for my personal entertainment. From every verse and every story, Genesis 1 to Revelation 22, we learn about God and we learn about God’s people. We see what history has held for our ancestors in the faith and we work through what it means to be God’s covenant people today.

The story of God’s love for all people is for every time and place. God’s endurance in the long, long battle against sin is the reason we have hope in tough situations. God’s victory over death changes how we see the present and the future. The holy word of God shows us how to follow God. It teaches us to love our neighbors and models how we repent and reconcile when things go awry.

In worship each week, we hear four different readings from the Bible. Usually, they have some themes in common, but not always. We hear from the Old Testament, the Psalms, the Letters, and the Gospels. Each tells the story of God. Each is of good use to us. Each one builds up the community of faith. Each one prepares us to do God’s good work.