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But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:14-17).

Contemporary Testimony: Our World Belongs to God: The Spirit, active from the beginning, moved human beings to write the Word of God and opens our hearts to God's voice (31).

We learn two fundamental things about Scripture here: where it comes from and what it is intended for.

First, all Scripture is God-breathed. It originated in God\u2019s mind and was communicated from God\u2019s mouth by God\u2019s breath or Spirit. Therefore, we call it \u2018the Word of God.\u2019 As the prophets often said, \u2018the mouth of the Lord has spoken\u2019. It is also true that God spoke within and to the cultures of the folks who wrote the Bible. They were not robots but maintained their unique styles. Thus, the tremendous diversity within the Bible.

It's not necessary to offer an exact definition of \u2018God-breathed\u201d. It remains a bit mysterious. However, its important to understand its implication. The Bible is not like other books. The words are not dead letters on a page. The book lives, it has power to move our souls. As God says, \u201cIt will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it\u201d (Isaiah 55:11). \xa0Therefore, Christians encourage each other to pick up the Bible, to read it, to learn it.

This is the second thing Paul underscores in our text: because Scripture is God-breathed it is useful. God\u2019s Word instructs us for salvation. Its main purpose is to teach not facts of science but facts of salvation. It unfolds the divine plan of redemption\u2014our creation in God\u2019s image, our fall through disobedience into sin, God\u2019s continuing love for us despite our rebellion, his eternal plan to save us through his covenant of grace, culminating in Christ.

Jesus came as our Saviour: died to bear our sin, was raised from death, was exalted to heaven, and sent the Holy Spirit. Our Messiah rescued us from guilt, alienation, and bondage to evil, and grants us immortality as children of God. The Old Testament points towards him, while the New Testament tells the story of his ministry on earth and his ongoing mission through his Spirit anointed community. This narrative of redemption in Jesus Christ is intended to nurture our \u2018faith\u2019 in him, in order that by faith we may be saved.

The usefulness of Scripture relates to both our belief and our conduct. It is useful for reforming our characters and discipling us in right living. When we hope to overcome error and grow in truth, to overcome evil and grow in holiness, we turn first to the Scriptures. Its is God-breathed. It comes with his power. If, as God\u2019s servants, we desire to be equipped for every good work, we turn to the scripture. They are the Spirit\u2019s primary tool in the renovation of our lives.