Teaching: God’s Standard of Right and Wrong

2 Timothy 3:16 “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.”

Do you realize that whatever you do in life, there is a standard or rules that are to be followed? Sports have rules, school has rules, and work has rules. Everything in life has directions on how we are supposed to do something. Our lives in general are the same way. You see, God has given us a playbook for our lives, now it covers some things we are not supposed to do but the reality is it is an operating manual for life which teaches us what we can do.

Now the Bible is a pretty cool operating manual. It does not just tell us a list of right and wrong but gives us life lessons throughout scripture and God does a work in us to help us realize when we might be falling short of His standard. So here are some lessons from Paul on the Bible.

1. All Scripture is Inspired – This means we do not get to pick and choose which verses to obey and which verses to disobey. God’s moral law is the same yesterday, today, and forever so what God calls sin will always be sin.

2. There is Freedom in Christ – Adam and Even had one “Do Not” and they could do anything in else in the garden but they focused on what they could not do. In the same way read the Bible and realize all the things you can do and get to do instead of focusing on what you can’t.

3. We are held to a higher standard than the world – As believers we are to be a light in the darkness. To be a light you need to know what can dampen that light. The Bible gives us those details. Understand that God is not trying to condemn you through Scripture but trying to help restore you into a right relationship with Him. That means being able to identify the sin in your life and ask God for forgiveness of it.

We live in a day and age where people try to twist scripture to justify the way they live. Paul addressed this and I want to use his words as a challenge to each of us. Will you take up that challenge from 2 Timothy 4:1-5 with me today?

I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he comes to set up his Kingdom: Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths. But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.