2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;
God's Word, Paul has told us, is useful for teaching and reproof. Now he moves on to show us that it is useful for correction. Here is a remarkable thing - and how glad we should be that in His wisdom, God made His Word so perfect for our needs!
Suppose the Word could reprove us but not correct us. What would that be like? It would keep showing us that we were doing wrong, and give us plenty of evidence to that effect, but it would never show us what was right, or apply any corrective to us where we were in error. It would be like a dentist who could show us many cavities in our teeth as evidence we were brushing them wrongly, but who never took the time to tell us how to brush them the right way and avoid the cavities in the first place. In our walk with the Lord, we need reproof and rebuke - we have seen how important that is already. But it is essential that we also have correction - a guide to put us right when we take a wrong turn.
Needless to say, the Word cannot reprove us if it remains unread on our bookshelves; it cannot correct us if we never hear it preached. We have to make use of the Word in order for God to use it in our lives! So let's break out of the all-too-common habit of not reading the Bible or of not really listening for God to speak to us when we are present for a sermon - and let's start now!
