Word by Word, Moment by Moment

[HKHaugan]

There is no end to what Scripture can do when it comes to speaking to the moment. Every moment is
a spiritual moment and created to be a God-moment in which we can experience what makes everything run. Scripture is a treasure of constant heart-moving inspiration for every next moment. That is, if you are open to its message for the moment, open to the Holy Spirit, the Spirit behind and in its words. Just as the Spirit was hovering as described in Genesis 1Scripture is the place over which the Holy Spirit is always
hovering. So important is the Holy Spirit to its understanding that if you are not aware of His presence it becomes just printed matter subject to whatever you choose it to mean. But Scripture itself won’t allow that approach. Check this passage 1Tim.3:16-17:

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness (16), so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work (17).” As the Brits say, ‘let’s unpack this passage.’ Let’s unpack it word by word. We start with verse 16.

First, ‘all.’ The Bible is not a pick-and-choose supermarket where you take from it what you like
and leave the rest. ‘All’ Scripture from Gen.1:1 to Rev.22:21 is God-breathed therefore every word, phrase, story, parable and theme is part of a whole reservoir from which we can drink. Each day we may take one sip, a cupful or disciplined periodic swallows. The point is that absolutely all of Scripture is from God. It is an always available fountain to quench our spiritual thirst.

Second, ‘Scripture.’ Note that every translation capitalizes the word ‘Scripture.’ It is more than a noun; it is a noun that is singular in importance. It is unique because of its source, God Himself. The Greek word for Scripture is ‘graphe,’ writing, a special writing. Though not capitalized in the Greek it is translated with a capital to carry forward how it was viewed in the early Body of Christ.

Third, the verb ‘is.’ ‘Is’ not ‘was’ or ‘will be’ indicating a continual God-breathing going on. It is a present reality. God is always breathing it. Scripture is a living reality. The fountain is always pouring.

Fourth, ‘God-breathed.’ The Greek word is ‘theopneustos,’ ‘theo’-God and ‘pneustos’ from ‘pneuma’-breath. As John tells us God is Spirit. Therefore it is spiritually breathed, Holy Spirit breathed.

Fifth, ‘useful.’ Here the Greek is ‘ophelimos’-useful, assisting, helpful, aiding. In all four English words there is an equal connotation that it does not exist on its own.There is Someone using it to accomplish a task for us, a helper, an aide, and assistant who counsels us. John tells us He is the ‘Paracletos’-counselor, the Holy Counselor.

Sixth, ‘teaching,’ Greek-‘didaskelian.’ Teaching, instruction, opening the mind to concepts, developing the ability to reason. It supports the idea of the need for an instructor and the Lord’s provision of a spiritual gift for that purpose. It is the Holy Spirit doing the work.

Seventh, ‘rebuking,’ Greek-‘elegmos’-conviction. Here we have to be careful of spiritual vigilantism where Scripture is used by individuals to correct others. The point of the word used here is that the Holy Spirit is the One who convicts when Scripture is read, taught, preached and studied. It is a very rare time and one
that needs to be prayed about when moral, spiritual and physical abuse is detected. This again is why the Body of Christ is given spiritual gifts of intercessory prayer, discernment, wisdom, pastoring and so on to match an issue.

Eighth, ‘correcting,’ Greek-‘epanarthosin,’ to set up right, to get back on course. The Scripture is a moral compass that, after conviction, returns the heart and mind back in the right direction, a continuing work of the Spirit.

Ninth, ‘training,’ Greek’-‘paideia’-‘raising of children,’ reminding us to remain humble before God and others, that we are always children of God being trained to live spiritually in this world in ministry and mission preparing for the Second coming of the Lord. This is done as we recognize that our childhood is lived
interdependently in a family of spiritual gifted brothers and sisters.

Tenth, ‘righteousness,’ Greek-‘dikaiosune’-‘being right’ in attitude and behavior internally as well as externally. Righteousness is more than believing a principle and following a moral code. It is first a spiritual attitude of being right in mind and heart that is, secondly, exhibited in open behavior. This is why Paul tells us that Christ is our righteousness.

Now vs.17, “…so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

The ‘man of God’ is the one with Jesus in his mind and heart conscious of his role as a spiritual child of God working out his faith in ministry in the Body of Christ and as a witness in mission to the world. His equipment is first his faith in Jesus, second Scripture and third spiritual gifts. It is from the treasury of Scripture that this equipment is learned, developed and shared in the Body and moved out into the world in mission. ‘Every good work’ is what happens every next moment as the conscious desire to please the Lord
Jesus is used by the Holy Spirit for ministry and mission.

More on the Holy Spirit next time…….