God's Hardware Store
Paul writing to Timothy reminds him of the Authority and Use of the scripture: 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
You ever start a project and have to make a trip to the hardware store? For me even the simplest project is not really a project till i've been to the hardware store at least twice. I never seem to have the right tool or always end up failing to get one part (nut, bolt, flange, wire etc). Whenever I run into a problem - back to the hardware store. When I get there I browse through parts, read instruction manuals, ask clerks for assistance and head back to try some more.
The bible is sort of like God's hardware store. We are his "project" in the making. We are being made into the image of Christ. But we constantly fall short. Some people think they can become Christ like by doing more - pray more, give more, read more, attend more. While those things are spiritual disciplines that will cultivate our relationship with Christ - without the instructions and "equipping" power found in God's word, they are useless and vain. It is the word of God that "equips us for every good work."
It wont take 1 or 2 trips to God's hardware store however. We will never be truly like Christ until we see him. Therefore It takes a lifetime and a consistent discipline and application of God's word to be equipped to do his work. Just like a hardware store has more than you need to do a single project - God's word has more than you need for the place you are right now. Once you are ready it will have exactly what you need the next time. There are endless aisles of supplies and instructions and counsel found in the 66 books making up God's word that are available 24x7x365.
Created over 2 years ago
