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 #8 Important Tool

Think about a craftsman like a carpenter or a blacksmith...

While there are certain concepts and truths that carpenters or blacksmiths only need to learn once (like “measure twice, cut once”, and how bellows will make the fire hotter) there are other aspects that take on-going practice.  Using a saw and chisel or being able to hammer a sword into shape are skills that must be regularly and repeatedly practised.

While we can know a lot about Scripture, this is not the end of the process.  We may even know a lot of Scripture — maybe we've read the Bible a couple of times and have a good grasp of the content — but this is still not the bottom line.

Paul uses the analogy of workman correctly and regularly working with his tools.  A good workman uses his tools regularly and well.  He does not use the saw as a hammer and the screwdriver as a chisel.  He applies each tool to the correct task, maintains his tools and uses them regularly.  Each tool becomes a friend and an extension of the craftsman.

Scripture is our toolbox and we should use it well and correctly.  This only comes with practice and repetition.  Scripture was given to us so that we can interact with it.  It wasn't given to be summarised, analysed and dissected for mere academic purposes.  Scripture was given as a tool for day to day life.

Imagine asking a carpenter to do his job without tools or asking a blacksmith to use tools he isn't familiar and comfortable with.  Would they be effective??

If your Bible is dusty and you're not interacting with God and His Word, there is a very good chance that work you do for Him will not be of a high standard.