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The Essential Transformative Nature of the Gospel

  

The Gospel of Jesus Christ stands as the central unifying thread within the life of the believer. That is, it is this message that justifies and sanctifies us. We must look to the cross with gratitude and humility. Gratitude for the price that was paid in our stead. Humility in knowing the only thing we contributed to that event was the sin that made it necessary. From that position, we can see that the central redemptive theme of Scripture must point us to the centrality of the gospel. That is, the person and work of Christ as revealed in the Bible. This revelation leads us to very distinct transformations: We have a transformation of the mind, a transformation of the emotions, and a transformation of the will, and ultimately a kingdom transformation.   

The biblical charge is clear: “But as for you, continue with what you have learned and firmly believed. You know those who taught you and know that you have known the sacred Scriptures from infancy, which can give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” (2 Tim 2:14-15). We study to continue growing in what has been revealed and to demonstrate God’s approval before the world around us. This approval serves as the spiritual light of our lives. We demonstrate God’s power and authority, holiness and judgment, and mercy and grace when we live out those tenets found in Scripture. We love because He first loved us, and His love is on full display in Scripture. But this alone is not a complete answer and is only part of why we should study the Bible. We can see that our lives are on display and that we show ourselves approved through our spiritual growth.

Transformation of the Mind

From that same text, Paul declares that “All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Tim 3:16-17). When Paul says “teaching,” he alludes to the means of instruction. To teach is to impart truth from teacher to pupil. Paul’s specific use here is instruction in Christian doctrine with an expectation of application in the believer’s life. We are the pupils of God’s instruction; therefore, Scripture is profitable for that end.

Transformation of the Soul

So, when Paul transitions to “rebuking,” Paul asserts the sharpness of Scripture intended to correct someone’s behavior, attitude, or actions. Other translations use the word “conviction,” which more clearly identifies the intended purpose of Paul’s writing. The Word of God convicts of sin. This position aligns with the author of Hebrews’ assertion, “For the Word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). This conviction goes to the very thoughts of man with the intended purpose of setting right what is wrong. The Bible offers conviction that leads to repentance.

Transformation of the Will

Then Paul moves to “correction.” His purpose is change, which makes right what is wrong. In particular, the Greek here connotes the setting back of something to its original condition. For example, if you take a piece of aluminum foil, wrap it up your food, and then, when you are done with the food, straighten out the foil to its original condition. The distinction in Paul’s writing points to the restorative work of the Word of God.

Transformation for the Kingdom

Finally, Paul moves to “training in righteousness.” The idea that goes through Timothy’s mind is training and instructing children. The intended purpose of classical education within the Roman world of the New Testament was to make productive citizens who accepted the values of society. That connection would not have been lost on Timothy. Paul advocates for a classical Christian education that produces productive citizens of heaven who are completely allegiance to Christ.

Scripture teaches us about God and ourselves. Scripture gently nudges us back to godliness by the tender movement of the Holy Spirit’s conviction. Scripture disciplines our stubborn hearts to hear the “still small voice” of our creator. And Scripture trains us in all righteousness. Apart from the Scripture’s influence through the power of the Holy Spirit, we would naturally drift from God. But the Bible draws us to Him. So, externally, through our actions, and internally, through our will to conform to His image. Therefore, Paul shows us how Scripture creates spiritual transformation in the lives of believers.

Therefore, because of the spiritual bond of Christian brotherhood, we proclaim that Christ will raise disciples. Paul continues with his appeal to Timothy with the crux of his charge, “I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus, who is going to judge the living and the dead, and because of his appearing and his kingdom: Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage with great patience and teaching” (2 Tim 4:1-2). This call from Paul is so strong that he charges Timothy before God and Jesus in light of Jesus’s second coming. The weight of that charge is anchored in the God who is, was, and is to come. More significantly, Paul’s use of the word—logon was predominantly used in the New Testament concerning the gospel of Jesus. The word of God is the catalyst that brings light to the darkness. In light of this call, we must be willing to, like Ezra, “set [our] heart to study the law of the Lord, obey it, and to teach its statutes and ordinances in Israel” (Ezra 7:10). This conviction and commitment to discipleship should fuel our desire to study the Bible.

Conclusion

The Bible is the foundation of our spiritual learning. Rests upon our view of biblical authority. And that must rest upon our theology of the Bible. The theology of the Bible asserts three fundamental pieces: God has spoken, What God has spoken has been written, and we must seek out what he has written. This theological approach closely parallels the Theology of Preaching by Peter Adam, and it rightly should. At its core, a theology of the Bible answers the question of “where” we begin with the journey in interpretation. In part, it is faith in God’s divine providence over the control of His revelation of Himself to His creation—us. We are created in the image of God and must not take for granted the ability to reason that God has placed within our minds. God is not without reason, and we should not be either. As such, we must be willing to do the work required to properly understand God’s message. So that we may take the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to those far from God and call them to repent by the power of the Holy Spirit, this becomes the ultimate goal for the believer: internal transformation, external transformation, and kingdom impact.

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