Cornerstone

II Timothy 3:14-17 (16)

¹⁴But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, ¹⁵and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, ¹⁷so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Employee benefits that we often think of first are health insurance, paid vacation time and paid sick leave.  Other perks might include the use of the company car, free meals, discounted products, a retirement program, free or discounted daycare for your children, etc.  Your employee benefit package will vary depending on your employer and on how many hours you work.  Some employers cut benefits for part time employees while other employers realize that benefits for part time employees may guarantee that they will be able to retain the employee.  It is cheaper to retain than to retrain.  Other employers feel that the wage is the greatest benefit and offer no additional perks.

The Word of God has its own benefit package.  Although many things could be listed Paul mentions seven, in 2 Tim 3:14-17:

1. It is able to lead us to salvation through faith vs. 15
2. It is profitable for doctrine vs. 16
3. It is profitable for reproof vs. 16
4. It is profitable for correction vs. 16
5. It is profitable for instruction in righteousness vs. 16
6. It will help us be more complete as a disciple of Christ vs. 17
7. It will help us be thoroughly prepared to do all good works vs. 17

God’s Word offers benefits that are significant and lasting.  They offer true value.

Dr. Gayle Woods

1 Peter 3:8-11 (8)

In Sri Lanka, more than 30,000 people were killed. But all the elephants, deer and other wild animals survived, says H. D. Ratnayake, deputy director of that nation’s wildlife department. In the 12 hours before Hurricane Charley hit Florida, 14 electronically tagged sharks off Sarasota who had never left their home region before fled into deep waters and stayed away for two weeks before returning. The same sharks reacted similarly when Tropical Storm Gabrielle was about to strike according to Biologist Mike Heithaus.

Although animals are not in as much agreement when the weather is peaceful it illustrates God’s desire for His people. Peter says, “be ye all of one mind . . .” 1 Pet 3:8. After speaking of being “of one accord, of one mind,” Paul goes on to say “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” Vs. 5

For His pleasure can we try harder to get along with our brothers in the Lord? For His pleasure can we try harder to work together to accomplish His mission for the Church? If we try to think His thoughts we will find that this comes easier. If the Word of God comes to life in our lives we will find that working with our brethren in unity comes more naturally.

Dr. Gayle Woods