God-breathed
Inspiration can accurately be defined as breathed out, or God-breathed. While it is his spoken word, it is infinitely more than just words or ideas. It has the very breath of God in it, inspired by his holiness and love. It is alive, active, and, yes, profitable. It is his truth within the words that make it that way. In the Beatitudes, Jesus tells us that blessed are those that hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be satisfied. This righteousness only comes in and through his word.
It starts with a burning desire for God’s word and its effective results in your life. The Spirit is that God-breathed instrument for inspiration. But for what is it profitable? Four that are set forth.
- Doctrine—showing us truth
- Reproof—exposing our rebellion
- Correction—correcting our mistakes
- Training in righteousness—training us to live God’s way
And what is the ‘so that’ in all of this in his inspired word? Just this…
- That the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work… or to put it another way… we are put together and shaped up for the task God has for us
Inspired
It starts with our decision to desire his truths in a deep and meaningful way. Our ‘work’ will not be manufactured or out of guilt; it will be motivated and inspired by his Spirit working within us through the truth of his word. In other words, we will be compelled.
“My son, be attentive to my word; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh” (Prov. 4.20-22 ESV).
