2 TIMOTHY 3:16-17

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.

TO PONDER

I sometimes have to laugh when I read this verse because it reminds me of my own attempts at physical training. People in Newcastle will have to forgive me for repeating stories that I am sure I have already shared with them but I love the idea of physical training and improving my fitness but I often require the help of a personal trainer or a training partner to get me motivated and keep me accountable.

The thing that makes me laugh is how often I hear people say, my faith is just something between God and me, it's personal and private. And look, in some ways they are right. Faith is a personal thing and personal devotional time and bible reading is important. But just imagine that statement in a physical training setting. "my personal training is a private thing between me and my trainer." That might also be true but anyone looking will easily know whether I am actually doing my time at the gym. My training regime and personal fitness goals might be between me and my trainer but the results are on display for the whole world to see.

Our faith is like that too. Yes, we might have a deeply personal and intimate relationship with Jesus, but the results of that life changing relationship are on display for all to see; and when the results give us away, when our hearts remain hard and unforgiving, when our motives are selfish and our words are hurtful, then God gives us his word, and the church to hold us accountable and train us in righteousness. Just like physical training it's not always easy, sometimes it hurst for a while, but when we act on the words of the one who set the path for us, we do see results.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, please help me to take the journey of discipleship seriously and commit to reading your word daily so that through it you may train me in righteousness and that my life may bring glory to you. Amen

Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle