All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 NKJV

It’s that time of year again, graduation. Social media is full of beaming faces about to celebrate an accomplishment, like their high school or college graduation. I have four nieces graduating next month, and I am so proud of each of them. They have worked hard and studied hard to earn their degrees and will be moving on to the next phase.

When we get saved as baby Christians, we need to work hard and study hard as well. The Bible is our guide, or shall I say, it should be our guide in this thing we call life. While men wrote the Bible, it was with God’s inspiration. Some versions say Scripture is God-breathed. This means God told these men what to write. And as our passage for today says, it trains us in doctrine. It lets us know when we make mistakes. It tells us how to correct them. It instructs us in righteousness.

In Psalm 119:105, the Psalmist wrote, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” We should study and come to know God’s word and use it as a guide.

Our graduation is our physical death. That’s the time when all the studying and hard work pay off, and we receive our reward in heaven. That’s when we move on to the next phase: eternity in paradise with our Lord and Savior.

As we watch these young people parade into auditoriums in their caps and gowns, we are watching those who fought the good fight. We are watching those who gave it all they had. We are watching those who didn’t give up, even when the going got tough, they stayed the course.

The same holds for the Christian life. The going will get tough at times. But Isaiah 42:3 says He will bring us safely through the fire and the flood. Psalm 91 is a beautiful Psalm of the protection God provides for His children.

We won’t see those walking in caps and gowns that never went to class, never studied, or started on a good course but gave up along the way.

So, I want you to ask yourself Are you preparing for graduation? Did you ever enroll and start attending? Have you studied the book? Have you passed the tests of faith? Have you relied on God’s knowledge and strength to bring you through the hard times?

And as parents, you make your kids get their education, but do you also make sure they have a good, solid knowledge of God’s word? Proverbs 22:6 says to train a child up in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Do you train your kids to be in church and study the Bible?

Seeing your child walk down the aisle in their cap and gown is awesome, I’m sure. But it’s not nearly as valuable as knowing where they will spend eternity.

We study hard and make good grades because we want to secure a better future for ourselves.

Study the Bible and serve the Lord so you can assure yourself a place in heaven for eternity.

When we graduate, we make plans for our temporary earthly life. When this temporary life is over, we will move on to eternity. Have you prepared to spend that eternity in heaven or in hell? If you do not graduate to heaven, there is only one option.

I pray that you choose wisely.

Have a great day!