^“16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: ¹⁷ That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

ALL Scripture, not “some”, not “most” but ALL Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness.  The Word of God is the plumb line of Truth…the only revealed Truth in the world.  The denominational doctrines are not the plumb line.  Man-made philosophies are not the plumb line.  Human opinion, nope – not the plumb line.  The Bible does not contain the Word of God; it IS the Word of God.

The only way to see when something is out of plumb, is to hold the plumb line (the level) to it.  A small, 6″ level will not give an accurate reading of a 20′ stick…just as a single Scripture taken out of context will not give an accurate plumb line for life and living.

However, a 4′ level (the full counsel, rightly divided Word of God) will reveal any wrong direction of the full length of the stick.  The smallest degree of wrong direction in the stick is revealed because it can cause the entirety of the stick to go the wrong direction. The wrong direction is the leaven which leavens the whole lump.

“⁸ Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate you: rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.

⁹ Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.” Proverbs 9:8-9

The religious who live by worldly statutes, denominational guidelines and man made philosophies are not regarded as religious by the world; they are in fact readily accepted.  Their religious spirit is revealed when the Word of God is held up to their beliefs and their beliefs are laid waste.  These are scorners who will turn on a dime when the Word of God is used for their correction.

If the preacher does not use the full counsel of the Word of God, ALL Scripture, there will be no reproof, no correction…no instruction in righteousness.  Many confuse instruction in righteousness with consecration to Christian ordinances and good works.  Not so. Doing those things, the Christian ordinances that every Believer should do, will not fall out to righteousness.  Faith in Jesus Christ and Him crucified imputes the righteousness of Jesus unto the believing Saint.  Us in Him, Jesus Christ, allows the Holy Spirit to superintend that which belongs to Jesus.  Our works and consecration do not place us in Him, our faith in the Cross of Christ places us in His righteousness.

“Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common Salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that you should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the Saints.” Jude 3

The Believer who is led by the lusts of the flesh will consider others who earnestly contend for the faith as religious.  Believers who hold the Word of God as the plumb line for all doctrine, reproof and correction and earnestly contend for the Christian doctrines are regarded as religious and legalistic to most of the modern church.  They do not take kindly to rebuke.

Indifference to doctrine has led and allowed many to fall away.  Another Jesus and another gospel matters not to many who would prefer their many good works and soothed conscience.  The Gospel of Jesus Christ and Him crucified has been set aside for another, more socially acceptable means of “salvation”…which in fact is no salvation at all.  Others sit by and allow their children, friends and family to be swept away into this false way; the plumb never measured and the path gone astray.

Judgment begins at the house of God (1 Peter 4:17) and many need to repent of their slothful ways; this writer included.  There truly is a river life.  Many have tasted the good Word of God and drank of the water and it is life unto our soul.  I am one of many who have seen the Salvation of the Lord and will not be shaken.  Jesus Christ has authored and He has finished our faith, precept upon precept, line upon line but He is not finished with us.  We must look to Him daily and fight that good fight of faith…faith in Who HE is and what HE has done.   No longer is it we who live but Christ Jesus Who lives in us.  We are not our own but bought with a price.  Our Redeemer paid the price and He has the power to possess that which He has redeemed.

A plumb line is vertical and never horizontal.  Consider the entire counsel, ALL Scripture, as the plumb line by which the Child of God is to live.

“Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15.

-Donna Clark Warren