By Rev. J. Loren Russell
2 Peter 1:20-21 NLT
“Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding, or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God.”
The second epistle of Peter warns his readers to be mindful and careful of misleading teachers who inaccurately explain, distort, misinterpret, then mislead people with their false doctrine. Faith and trust must come from the Word of God found in the prophetic words of the Old, and the saving grace of the New Testaments.
The prophets as well as the disciples who penned the life-changing words we find in the Bible were inspired by the Holy Spirit. They did not, from their own perspective, write the words we have in the Holy Bible. They wrote what they were inspired to write from God. All through the Old and the New Testaments, the reader is encouraged to seek moral integrity and a personal relationship with God.
The point that is being made by Peter echoes Paul in his writing in 2 Timothy 3:16 when he says, “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” (NLT). It is imperative for us to understand that there is a message of hope for us throughout the scriptures. They were not put there because the writers had an inclination. They were written because each author was given a word from God Himself that they were to share with the world, even though they had no idea that all the writings would eventually be compiled into a single book that would contain wisdom, guidance, inspiration, and grace that would go from the beginning to the end of time.
Once we recognize that the persons who penned each book in the Bible were divinely inspired, we can embrace its message, knowing that it was given so that we have God’s guidance for every situation in life.
Be Blessed!
Rev. J. Loren Russell is President/CEO of The JLR Company for Church Financial Strategy Consulting; an associate minister at both Goodwill and The Greater Universal Baptist Churches in the Bronx; and creator & host of “Matters of Faith – The Radio Show,” Mondays 8:00 – 10:00 PM. Listen to Matters of Faith on Facebook LIVE.
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