True Wisdom

Article for October 19, 2025

2 Timothy 3:14–15 14As for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

If we preach and teach God’s word, do you put God’s word into practice?  You should have learned something in all the time you have been going to church?  Some of you have had several pastors during your church going days who hopefully, you learned something useful from them. And I hope you have learned something useful through me as well, other than silly antics and remember, don’t do as I do but do as I say.

Going back to Paul’s letter to Timothy, we are looking at a time when most of their sacred writings were of the Old Testament.  Also, at this time the New Testament was being delivered through word-of-mouth writings, or letters sent, as is the Epistles.  Still the word of God is important to learn and receive.  St. John says:

Romans 15:4 (ESV) ⁴ For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Not only do we receive the wisdom of God but also the wisdom of salvation, which is eternal life and relationship with our Lord and Savior.  This wisdom of salvation escapes those non-believers understanding as simple as it seems.  The Holy Spirit works through the Holy Scriptures for our understanding and benefit to build up our faith.  So, continuous study of God’s Holy Scriptures builds our faith and our understanding of God’s grace and mercy through forgiveness and repentance.

2 Timothy 3:16–17 16All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

God’s word is better studied where two, or three, or more are gathered.  The more I study God’s word, the more joy it brings me because it speaks of the works of salvation given to us by a loving God.  Salvation is not just eternal life and eternal joy, but rather, salvation is life WITH our Savior.  We are talking about an undeserved eternal joy and a means to eternally worship our Savior, given to us through our Savior. 

The profit we receive is not monetary that gets spent and runs out if not replenished, but rather, the never-ending love of God is a permanent profit and treasure in heavens eternal existence.  Our lives will change, our priorities will change, and our joy will increase daily as we will be living in the light of our God.   All power and glory to our God and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Paul lets us know that God made us in this life for good works, see Ephesians 2:10.  In Romans 3:17, Paul tells us that God has equipped us for good works.  The good works we do here should be to help others know of their salvation through the good news.  Our good works is also that we teach with patience and love to lead people out of their sin.  Our good works should mimic that of God’s works as He forgives so we should forgive.  What our good works in heaven be, well, we will know that when we get there.

2 Timothy 4:1–2 1I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.

The word of God is not to be taken lightly but taught through patience and love.  We reprove to teach against those things that draw us away from God. We rebuke what is bad, what is sin, and pure evil.  And rather than bashing one another and putting each other down, we need to encourage one another and build each other up.  Bashing is for naughty children and naughty politicians.  Patience and encouragement are for the good teachers who completes God’s way through God’s word.  Not just in word but in action too.

2 Timothy 4:3–4 3For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

The world is like a ravenous wolf ready to devour all in its path.  The cunning of the world is like the patience of the fox who slowly sneaks up on its prey and pounces for the kill.  The care of the world is like that of python who is ready to strike a killing blow to those foolish enough to cross its path.  The world is not playing with us, so let us not play with the world.

2 Timothy 4:5 5As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

Jesus went out to the crowds to evangelize for the Gospel, the very intent of our Father in heaven.  Jesus suffered much going constantly toward the cross, and Jesus endured the cross for our sake.  So that the word of God is not stories but a true manuscript of God’s love and salvation for us.  When we digest the word of God, we digest the true body and blood of our Lord who gave His body and blood to eat and drink for the forgiveness that leads to Salvation.  Amen.

Written by Pastor Curtis A. May