Early on in his letter, James describes the relationship that a follower of Jesus has with God’s Word. James’s message is that true faith in Jesus produces “doers” of God’s word. It’s not just a call to do but a call to embrace the totality of what it means to commit to doing God’s word. There are four things we can get from this passage…

How did we end up with the books that make up the Old and New Testament? How was that decided? Canon is the Greek word for a rod or a straight piece of rounded wood that was used for measuring. It is a standard measurement. It’s the instrument that provides authoritative, agreed upon measurement. The Apostle Paul uses the word “canon” in Galatians 6:16. He says, “Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule” (this canon).

Timothy needs to know that when he stands to preach that it’s a message of truth. He needs to be confident that the scriptures are true, that they are authoritative, and that they indeed come from God. I think we need that today. In a day with so many opinions on so many debatable issues, we need truth upon which to base our lives.

So, hear what the Apostle Paul writes…

We all observe and maybe even study human behavior and we see the best of what people can do, and we witness and experience human behavior at its worst. What I’m more interested in is why people do the things they do. If you dig down just a little bit, what you’ll find are a set of beliefs. Those beliefs become our authority.

Beginning in John 14 Jesus is preparing His disciples for the events that will unfold shortly. He was leaving them. He was going to prepare a place for them in his Father’s house. When he’s asked by Thomas how they can know the way to be with Jesus in heaven, he makes the definitive statement, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”