There is a story of hunters in South America who hunt certain species of monkeys in the jungle.  These monkeys are extremely evasive to typical trapping methods so hunters had to come up with creative ways to capture these creatures.  The most effective way to capture these monkeys was to use their own desire against them.  The hunters discovered a local fruit in the jungles with seeds that were delicacies to their prey.   To capture them, they would cut a hole in the top of that fruit, with just enough room for those monkeys to wedge their hand into to collect the seeds.  Then after fastening down the fruit to a tree they would wait.

The monkeys would not take long to pick up the scent of these delectable seeds in the jungle air.  They would approach the fruit with caution at first, knowing that this fruit lying bare was too good to be true.  Then they would slide their hand into the fruit and grab a handful of seeds.  The trap was now sprung and the monkeys were prisoners to their own desires.

You may be asking how they were trapped.  Once they monkeys grabbed a handful of seeds, their hand was now larger than it was when it entered the hole in the fruit.  All the monkeys had to do to taste freedom was to release the seeds from their hands, but their desire for them was too strong.  By holding onto the seeds, they were now doomed.

This has always been my favorite illustration for preaching and teaching because it has so many applications for the life of a believer.  One way we can use this illustration is in the area of the believer’s responsibility to turn away from sinful desires when coming to Christ.  This turning away or repentance is a necessary component of salvation yet it is often overlooked or underemphasized.  This lack of applied importance to repentance leads many people to a less than biblical understanding of what God requires from every sinner and, ultimately, some to false conversion.

Since the birth of my son Peter, I have had many people come up to me and tell me how much Peter resembles me in appearance.  Now oftentimes, I take these comments as kind gestures, compliments and encouragements.  People used to tell me as a child that I resembled my mother in appearance, not realizing we did not share any of the same DNA since she was my step mother.  But with my son, Peter, I actually believe that we look alike, especially when I compare our baby pictures.  What is interesting is that Peter was not supposed to look like me?  I know that sounds strange so let me explain!

Amy and I were in the process of adoption when we found out she was pregnant with Peter.  We were praying and expecting a new baby to come;  just not one with our combined DNA.  We were expecting to bring home a new baby boy or girl through the process of adoption.  When we found out Peter was coming, we realized that God changed our plans a bit. Whether through adoption or through personal pregnancy, we committed that our child was going to be loved with Christ-like love and they would be called our son or daughter.

I am writing this blog with a hope that you will consider adoption in your life.  Not the adoption of another child into your home (we will get to that), but instead that time in your life when you were adopted.  Yes, maybe you were born to two people you called mom and dad that shared their physical genetics with you.   Yet if you consider yourself a follower of Jesus Christ, then welcome to the world of being adopted.  You have more in common with orphans than you realized!

In 2 Timothy 3:14-17, Paul writes to Timothy:

You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

I have recently been thinking about these verses, and they strike a chord of reminder in me in several ways.  Paul was writing to encourage Timothy concerning many matters, including rekindling his gift of shepherding the church, holding fast to right doctrine, being strong to work hard like a soldier, an athlete, and a farmer.  He warns him of false teachers and their teaching and the certainty of persecution.  Then, these words: “You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of…”

By the end of this passage, we clearly see Paul speaks of Scripture.  We often hear verses 16-17 taught, but we don’t always make the appropriate connection with application.  Paul is giving Timothy exhortation that it is Scripture which provides the solution to all these difficulties he faces.  If he will stick with the Scriptures, Timothy will be protected, in a sense, from all these threats of hardship.  For, God’s Word is sufficient for right doctrine, for correcting error and directing to right practice, and for teaching righteous living.  Scripture equips God’s servants with all they need to progress.

We must be committed to the Word of God.  These are words which are appropriate for all people.  Scripture is sufficient for our needs.  It is the tool the Lord uses for the heart-changing work He is doing.  If you desire to know what to believe, turn to Scripture.  If you desire to know how to live and how not to live, turn to Scripture.  If you desire to know the life that is pleasing to the Lord and is capable of glorifying Him, you must turn to Scripture.  Human wisdom is neither enough, nor fundamentally correct in dealing with these matters.  It is the Word of God which changes lives.