[2Ti 3:16-17 YLT] 16 every Writing [is] God-breathed, and profitable for teaching, for conviction, for setting aright, for instruction that [is] in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be fitted — for every good work having been completed.
I loved snow skiing as a kid. Having grown up near the Adirondack mountains made skiing an easy and fun “fit” for me. During one winter break from school, my parents splurged on a week of ski lessons for me. I was excited and had the time of my life, discovering more about skiing. During one of my earliest adventures in skiing, I concluded the trip by wrapping myself around a fence at the entrance to the ski lodge. I had figured out how to ski but hadn’t quite perfected stopping yet. And so, you can see why I required those lessons! Part of the entire skiing experience was always getting out-fitted for the adventure. The first 45 minutes or so at the ski slopes were always spent at the rental shop getting fitted for whatever you happened to be missing from your collection of equipment. The “out-fitting” was an essential part of the experience.
I have been teaching a Zoom study on my book for the last few weeks. A book that is purposely chocked full of Scripture. As I have planned and taught, I have had difficulty knowing what Scriptures to highlight and what to leave out. Why is that? Because all Scripture holds so many delicious nuggets of truth for us to dissect and digest. Paul told Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:16 and 17 (NLT), “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.”
Paul’s words to Timothy in 2 Timothy were the final words Paul wrote. He had spent hours of his life, inspired by the Holy Spirit, penning words of encouragement and truth to the church he so loved. He wrote almost a third of the New Testament. I love that God chose a man who had been trained to the highest level attainable in the Jewish Scriptures, and gave him the job of penning so much of the New Testament. He didn’t just use unlearned and unschooled fishermen for this job. No, he took this man who through his extensive training had had to memorize the entire Old Testament. He took a man who exercised his God-given brain-power to know Scripture and used that man to compose the words that so inspire us as believers today. God “fitted” Paul for the job of writing the New Testament. He did this by giving him years of training, most likely following behind Gamaliel while he taught the OT Scriptures. (Acts 22:3). God “fitted” Paul for his future calling.
We are told in 2 Timothy 3:17, that God uses Scripture to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. The words, prepare and equip translate “fitted.” So, we may be “fitted” to perform our assignments- to accomplish God’s purpose for us. God uses his Word to “out-fit” us.
How amazing is this truth? Okay, so here is what I want you to see. We cannot be prepared, equipped, or fitted without the instruction and preparation that comes from God’s word. We can try and do good things in our strength, using our wisdom. We might even feel like we ARE doing good things, but the Bible teaches us that a man who is fitted for God’s work is a man who has been diligent to comprehend and practice what the Scripture says.
There is no easy way to have this “fitting” happen-it requires a diligent, intentional, and at times costly amount of study. And THIS investment is what produces a man equipped to do God’s job.
If you are already a student of the Scriptures, press into God’s word a little more. If you are yet to discover the joy of time spent in the Word, jump in -the water is great!
God’s word is powerful, inspired, and useful to teach us what is true, what is wrong, and how to do the right thing. If you want to be used by God, jump in and see how HE can “fit” you for his use. And then watch how he blesses and uses you in the job he has prepared for you to do.
Chapter 3 of 2 Timothy begins with these challenging words, “You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times.” Some translations say perilous times will come. “Perilous days” most definitely describe our days right now as well. We need preparation and God’s word is where we will find it. Jump into his word- find out all you can about who God is and how he has prepared for us to live. You will never regret the time you spend being OUT-FITTED for the good works God has planned for you.
[2Ti 3:1 NASB] 1 But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.
Anne Farnum 