Who Christ Calls You to BeSample

Day 5: Christ Calls You to Equip Yourself

Key Verses

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Tim. 3:16–17)

Paul knew he was facing imminent death when he wrote his second letter to his protégé, Timothy. His words are a summary of a life filled with hard-earned lessons. None is more profound than the conclusion he draws in 2 Timothy 3:16–17: Everything you need for your walk with Christ can be found in God’s Word.

Every other writer of Scripture would certainly concur. In Psalm 119:105, the psalmist wrote, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” The Bible illuminates the road God has laid out before us and directs us on our journey. It reveals pitfalls and dangers along the way. The more time we spend in its pages, studying it and looking for ways to apply it to our lives, the better prepared we’ll be to make wise decisions along the way.

In Ephesians 6:17, Paul describes God’s Word as a sword, the final piece of spiritual armor necessary for battling Satan. Jesus Himself demonstrated the effectiveness of Scripture as a defensive weapon when He was tested by Satan in the wilderness. Three times Satan tempted Jesus to take a shortcut through God’s plan. Three times Jesus countered his temptation by quoting Scripture. The Word of God proved too powerful for the tempter. Unable to mount a defense against it, Satan left Jesus.

In 1 Corinthians 9:24–27, Paul describes the Christian life as a lifelong race, one that requires every bit of strength, discipline, and endurance we possess. In that analogy, the Bible is a training manual. It shows us how faith and actions work together to propel us forward. It traces the connection between tribulation, perseverance, character, and hope. It offers tantalizing glimpses of the prizes that await us at the finish line. It also provides detailed snapshots of the races run by others. We can find inspiration in the stories of Joseph, Esther, Job, and Daniel. Likewise, we can learn from the mistakes of people like Moses, Samson, David, and Peter.

As is the case with any tool, weapon, or resource, the more you know about God’s Word, the more effectively you’ll be able to use it when you need it. That’s why Jesus calls us to equip ourselves—to become masters of Scripture. In Psalm 119:11, the psalmist wrote, “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” He immersed himself in Scripture so deeply that he could draw on it from within. That’s the kind of equipping we should aim for.