II Timothy 3:16-17 (NKJV)

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 complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

A Balanced LifeII Timothy 3:16-17

A Balanced LifeWe’ve all heard many sayings in our life that point to balance

“All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy”

“…is a part of a balanced breakfast”

As kids we are tested on a balance beam

A Balanced LifeBalance doesn’t necessarily mean that there has to be an equal amount of something

God worked six days and then rested on the seventh

He then commanded the Israelites to do the same

A Balanced LifeHowever, the idea of balance there was that God both worked and rested

A balanced life is a life that doesn’t just involve one thing

The Bible is full of examples of this very thing

Balance In The BibleSolomon spoke of the idea of balance in life and in the world in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Certainly when we think of life we think of birth and death, laughing and crying, loving and hating, etc.

There is balance to be had in life

Balance In The BibleAs Jesus grew there was balance in His life (Luke 2:52)

He grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man

There was balance in His ministry, as He dealt with the religious leaders and the lowly sinners

Balance In The BibleJesus also taught on many different subjects, not just one

Christ didn’t just minister to the spiritual needs, but also the physical ones

Jesus certainly understood the idea of balance in every way

Balance In EducationOne way that we need balance in our lives is in education

This would encompass learning as well as teaching

The Bible tells us that we must learn God’s word (Rom. 10:17; II Tim. 2:15; 3:14-15; II Pet. 3:18)

Balance In EducationSome are ever in deep study of God’s word, looking to grow in their knowledge and learning

However, God also tells us that we have a responsibility to teach as well

Great Commission – Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16

Balance In EducationHowever, some do neither

Hebrews 5:12-14

There were some who were neither learning nor teaching

We should not always seek to be heard, but at times seek to hear

Balance In SpeechWe should also seek balance in our speech as well

This is not balance in speaking good and speaking evil (James 3)

This balance comes in the encouragement we give as well as the correction

Balance In SpeechPeople need encouragement and we should give it (Eph. 4:29; Col. 4:6;I Thess. 5:14)

What if we only ever encouraged, even when someone was wrong?

If we care about the souls of others, then sometimes we must correct

Balance In SpeechA man named Apollos, eloquent and mighty in the Scriptures, was an accurate teacher (Acts 18:24-25)

He was preaching boldly and doing a great job, but…

There was probably some encouragement with the correction

Balance In LaborJesus certainly left us a great example (I Pet. 2:21)

As was mentioned, Jesus had a balance in His ministry

That balance included time spent with the saved (disciples) and time spent with the lost

Balance In LaborThere were times when Jesus was just with His apostles

He spent time with Mary, Martha and Lazarus

No doubt He treasured those times and did much to strengthen their faith in Him

Balance In LaborChrist also spent plenty of time ministering to those who were lost

He even said that He came to seek and save the lost (Lk. 19:10)

If we are not careful, we can spend all our time with the brethren, and none rescuing souls

Balance In LaborThere is an importance to being with our brethren (Heb. 10:24-25)

There is much to gain and to be given when we fellowship together (Acts 2:42-47; Gal. 6:2)

There is also much good that comes when we seek lost souls