It’s one thing knowing a fact or truth or idea but it’s an entirely different thing seeing it put into practice. Often a principle can sound great in theory but watching the effects it has in someone’s life can be either really convincing or show that it’s wrong.
On Sunday morning in our Sunday School gift day, we saw together from 2 Timothy how the apostle Paul pointed to Timothy’s mother and grandmother as examples of the Gospel put into practice. Faith in the Lord Jesus and His Word had such an obvious great effect in their lives and in Paul’s life, that Timothy could have complete confidence:
14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 3:14,15)
Of course, there are limits to how this works: there are plenty of generational ideas and religions that are believed across the ages but are total rubbish and only sustained because people follow their parents!
Yet Timothy is a perfect example of why he (and we!) can be sure: First, there’s no certainty that his father believed, but more importantly, Paul explained how effective scripture is and what changes God’s Word has in peoples’ lives:
16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16)
We can have confidence: these aren’t just good ideas, they are God’s thoughts and will change lives for time and eternity!
Spencer Shaw