A Balanced Diet

What does a balanced diet look like?

This is the time of year we think about diet and exercise. In fact, I believe what is known as quitters’ days as already happened, the 2nd Friday or Saturday in January.

We need a healthy diet of Scripture.

As we start the year this is my point this morning. But what does this look like?

ALL Scripture is necessary for the disciple.

If we are honest about being a disciple of Jesus then we must not relegate ourselves to just one portion of Scripture. Yes some are easier than others to understand.

2 Peter 3:15–16 NIV

Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.

Scripture originates with God.

The NIV says it powerful and accurately, “God-breathed”. God breathed life into Adam and Eve and has done the same with Scripture. We sometimes call this inspiration of Scripture.

Scripture is the essence and life of God.

This is a powerful truth and reminder.

Interpret Scripture with Scripture.

Because all of it is God breathed we must let one passage guide another.

Scripture is right in what it teaches.

This has been known as the inerrancy of Scripture. In everything it teaches it is correct and true. We may debate what is being taught, this is necessary, but it is teaching us something. It is not a science textbook, a sociological history book, nor a retelling of events. It is not an instruction manual either.

Scripture brings wisdom & salvation.

Scripture is about God and His path of wisdom and salvation. Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone in Christ alone!

Scripture is not always “fun”.

Look at the list of the purpose of Scripture, what it will do. We like teaching and training but probably not the rebuking and correcting. We cannot give up on reading Scripture just because it is hard or corrects us. This is “proof” it is working.

A goal-do good works.

A goal of Scripture is we would do good works. We do not read just to gain knowledge. We read to be equipped and ready to do God’s will and work.