Applying Scripture to Action and Transformation Questions
Applying Scripture to Action and Transformation
The application of Scripture to action and transformation is rooted in the understanding that the Bible is not just a source of doctrine, but a guide for living. According to 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Scripture is "God-breathed" and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that those who belong to God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work [6].
The process of applying Scripture to action involves a transformation that occurs through the renewing of the mind, as stated in Romans 12:2. This transformation is not just about outward conformity, but an inward change that makes the whole life new, with new motives and ends [8]. The Scripture is designed to lead people to good works, which are wrought by God in believers (Philippians 2:13) [2].
The act of reading Scripture is central to this process. The practice of reading Scripture was transferred from the Jewish synagogue to the Christian Church, and from the beginning, the New Testament writings were read alongside the Old Testament in Christian worship (Luke 4:16-20; Acts 13:15; 1 Timothy 4:13) [7]. This reading is not just a passive act, but is accompanied by exhortations to decision, to seek God with the heart, and to follow God fully (Joshua 24:14-15; 1 Kings 18:21) [3].
The application of Scripture to action and transformation is also linked to the concept of conversion. True conversion demands a change of how one lives in favor of God's requirements (Isaiah 55:7). This change is facilitated by the Scripture, which is able to teach, rebuke, correct, and train in righteousness [6]. The result of this transformation is a life characterized by good works, which are the fruit of a renewed mind and a heart turned towards God.
In the face of affliction, Scripture is also applied to action and transformation through prayer. Believers are exhorted to pray under affliction, seeking God's presence, support, and comfort (James 5:13; Psalm 51:11; Psalm 119:76) [4]. The Scripture provides guidance on how to pray and how to respond to affliction in a way that leads to transformation.
The ultimate goal of applying Scripture to action and transformation is to be conformed to the image of Christ. This is achieved through the work of the Holy Spirit, who enables believers to perform good works and to live a life that is pleasing to God (John 14:13; Philippians 2:13) [5]. As believers read, understand, and apply Scripture, they are transformed into the likeness of Christ, and their lives become a reflection of His glory (2 Corinthians 4:6) [1].
Sources
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “2 Corinthians 4:6 cross-references: Genesis 1:3, Genesis 1:14, Exodus 33:18, Exodus 34:5, Psalms 63:2, Psalms 74:16, Psalms 90:16, Psalms 136:7, Isaiah 6:1, Isaiah 35:2, Isaiah 40:5, Isaiah 45:7, Isaiah 60:2, Luke 10:22, John 1:14, John 11:40, John 12:41, John 14:9, Acts 7:55, 2 Corinthians 3:18, 2 Corinthians 4:4, Ephesians 1:17, Ephesians 5:8, Philippians 2:6, Colossians 1:15, Hebrews 1:3, 1 Peter 1:12, 1 Peter 2:9, 2 Peter 1:19”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Works, Good — Christ, an example of -- Joh 10:32; Ac 10:38. Called Good fruits. -- Jas 3:17. Fruits meet for repentance. -- Mt 3:8. Fruits of righteousness. -- Php 1:11. Works and labours of love. -- Heb 6:10. Are by Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God -- Php 1:11. They alone, who abide in Christ can perform -- Joh 15:4,5. Wrought by God in us -- Isa 26:12; Php 2:13. The Scripture designed to lead us to -- 2Ti 3:16,17; Jas 1:25. To be performed in Christ's name -- Col 3:17. Heavenly wisdom is full of -- Jas 3:17. Justification unattainable by -- Ro 3:20; Ga 2”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Decision — Necessary to the service of God -- Lu 9:62. Exhortations to -- Jos 24:14,15. Exhibited in Seeking God with the heart. -- 2Ch 15:12. Keeping the commandments of God. -- Ne 10:29. Being on the Lord's side. -- Ex 32:26. Following God fully. -- Nu 14:24; 32:12; Jos 14:8. Serving God. -- Isa 56:6. Loving God perfectly. -- De 6:5. Blessedness of. -- Jos 1:7. Opposed to A divided service. -- Mt 6:24. Double-mindedness. -- Jas 1:8. Halting between two opinions. -- 1Ki 18:21. Turning to the right or left. -- De 5:32. Not setting the heart aright. -- Ps 78:8,37. Exe”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Affliction, Prayer Under — Exhortation to -- Jas 5:13. That God would consider our trouble -- 2Ki 19:16; Ne 9:32; Ps 9:13; La 5:1. For the presence and support of God -- Ps 10:1; 102:2. That the Holy Spirit may not be withdrawn -- Ps 51:11. For divine comfort -- Ps 4:6; 119:76. For mitigation of troubles -- Ps 39:12,13. For deliverance -- Ps 25:17,22; 39:10; Isa 64:9-12; Jer 17:14. For pardon and deliverance from sin -- Ps 39:8; 51:1; 79:8. That we may be turned to God -- Ps 80:7; 85:4-6; Jer 31:18. For divine teaching and direction -- Job 34:32; Ps 27:11; 143:10. Fo”
- John (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on John 14:13: Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name - To enable you to perform these miracles, and to convert souls, may be granted you. Besides, by going unto the Father, I shall receive the Holy Spirit, and send down his abundant influences into the hearts of those who believe.”
- 2 Timothy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Timothy 3:16: 3:16-17 These verses elaborate on 3:15 by explaining Scripture’s effectiveness, its source, and the ways that it gives wisdom to live out our salvation. Paul was speaking of the Hebrew Scriptures (the Old Testament), but his statement can now apply to all Scripture, including the New Testament (see, e.g., 2 Pet 3:15-16). 3:16 The fact that Scripture is inspired by God (literally God-breathed, breathed out by God’s own speech; see also Heb 4:12-13; 2 Pet 1:20-21) does not negate the active involvement of the human authors. But it does affirm that God is fully re”
- 1 Timothy (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Timothy 4:13: Till I come--when Timothy's commission would be superseded for the time by the presence of the apostle himself (Ti1 1:3; Ti1 3:14). reading--especially in the public congregation. The practice of reading Scripture was transferred from the Jewish synagogue to the Christian Church (Luk 4:16-20; Act 13:15; Act 15:21; Co2 3:14). The New Testament Gospel and Epistles being recognized as inspired by those who had the gift of discerning spirits, were from the first, according as they were written, read along with the Old Testament in the Church (Th1 5:21”
- Romans (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Romans 12:2: And be ye not conformed to this world--Compare Eph 2:2; Gal 1:4, Greek. but be ye transformed--or, "transfigured" (as in Mat 17:2; and Co2 3:18, Greek). by the renewing of your mind--not by a mere outward disconformity to the ungodly world, many of whose actions in themselves may be virtuous and praiseworthy; but by such an inward spiritual transformation as makes the whole life new--new in its motives and ends, even where the actions differ in nothing from those of the world--new, considered as a whole, and in such a sense as to be wholly unattain”