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

Matt 13:18-23 (18)

The underlying truth is that even though we are faithful to present the gospel to the world all people will not be ready to receive it at the same time. In addition to our varying receptivity to the Word, however, is the fact that various things militate against our reception. In the first case, the devil is hindering by removing it from their attention while they still do not understand. In the second instance, the individual does not correctly understand that he will have opposing circumstances in the Christian life and quickly gives up his faith. Others are so entangled with the every day activities of life that they don’t have time to take care of their spiritual life and soon shrivel up and die. Finally, some see how precious the gift of salvation really is. They guard it carefully and continually work to develop their relationship with Jesus Christ.

High in the Alps is a monument raised in honor of a faithful guide who perished while ascending a peak to rescue a stranded tourist. Inscribed on that memorial stone are these words: HE DIED CLIMBING. Because of this same type of determination it is the one who is receptive to the gospel that will succeed in the Christian faith.

Dr. Gayle Woods