HOLY SCRIPTURES MAKE THEE WISE

2 Tim 3:12-15 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou in the things, which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; and that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus.

Unlike those led astray by the doctrines of false teachers, Timothy knew God's truth, and had followed the doctrine of His word, which was taught him by the apostle Paul. He was fully aware of Paul's manner of life, purpose, faith, long-suffering, charity, patience, persecution, (and) afflictions, which came unto (him) at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions (he) endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered him (See preceding Vss. 10-11). The life Paul lived, the persecutions he endured at the hands of the enemies of Christ, and the inspired word of God, which he taught, and confirmed, by the miraculous gifts that were bestowed on him through Jesus Christ, was the assurance that Timothy needed. Today all Christians also need the same: to accept God as their Creator and the Author of eternal salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ. The inspired message Paul taught, during his lifetime, exposed Satan's effort to reject the Messiah, and the deceiving doctrines of his false preachers and teachers that have been prevalent throughout all ages.

The lesson text assured Timothy that, to be a faithful follower of Christ, he must suffer the same persecutions that Paul experienced. Such is true for all faithful Christians. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. This tells us, with assurance that, persecution cannot be separated from the godly life of a faithful Christian. Eternal life in heaven can only be reached by traveling the narrow pathway of life, on which we are assured, will be filled with suffering and ridicule from the world around us, as well as the need for self-sacrifice. Apart from Jesus, one will not suffer the persecution of the world, but in Christ Jesus ...persecution is assured. Jesus Christ, Himself, gives us this assurance: If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you (John 15:19).

But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. False teachers, and numerous kinds of persecution from the world, demonstrates the unrelenting, deceiving efforts of Satan to lead Christians back into the world of sin; yea, to abandon God, our Savior, Jesus Christ, and the hope of eternal life available to His faithful servants. Because of this, Paul says that Timothy and all other Christians, must firmly refuse to be deceived. But rather they are to continue ...in the things, which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them. Hearing, understanding, and continuing in God's truths, which Paul, the other apostles, and all Holy Spirit-inspired New Testament writers taught, is the only way, we, as Christians, can overcome the opposition placed before us by Satan.

And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus. The truths of God, which are found in His holy word, had been taught to Timothy by his mother and grandmother from his youth (See 1 Tim. 1:5; 2 Tim. 3:15). Oh, how wonderful it would be if all children had the same scriptural knowledge young Timothy gained in his youth. At what age should a child be taught the holy scriptures? The answer is that children should be introduced to God's word, and taught its doctrine, just as soon as their youthful minds are able to grasp, and understand, its truths. It is in God's Holy Word, and only in His word, that true spiritual wisdom be found - wisdom that cannot be found in any human source. The wisdom of God, found in Old Testament prophesies, establish and confirm the tenets of the New Testament, in which is found eternal salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus.

Many men and women spend their lifetime searching for human wisdom that leads to power, fame, and fortune here on earth. However, all that accept God as the Author of eternal salvation spend their lifetime here on earth seeking His wisdom - the wisdom that points the way to an eternal home in heaven. And it is found, not in the power of human wisdom, but in power of God's Holy Word. To read and accept His Word, is to accept His Son, Christ Jesus as our Savior. Indeed, Holy Scriptures Make Thee Wise.