2 Timothy 2: 15
Study to show yourself approved by God, a workman who need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
There are two meanings for the above scripture of which a lot of people think that it is just for those called to the five fold ministry. However, this verse means more than that, it is for the everyday believer who talk to people at their homes, on the job, etc
One very important thing is to know enough of the word to help others in their life. Our lives should be lived in such a way that those who are around us see Christ in us.
Another thing I want to bring out in this verse and that is, we need to know what the word says for ourselves so that we don’t have to turn everyone over to the Pastor to answer their questions. Also, we need to know enough of the word to know if someone who maybe saying something the word of God says to be true or maybe speaking what someone else may have said. This area is where a lot of people live in. They don’t know the word, they just speak out what they think the word said or what someone else said the word said. This is why so many say faith or God’s word does not work.
1) Study to show yourself approved.
A) How can you honestly tell someone else what the Bible says if you have never studied it for yourself?
B) Lots of times we repeat what someone else said the scriptures said, without checking out for ourselves exactly what the scripture says.
C) We even go around quoting ministers and accepting that because they are ministers, they know what the word says. As much as that is or should be true, we should be able to trust that someone who is a minister should be telling you what the word says, but more times than enough, if we would look the scriptures up for ourselves, we would see that a lot of times, what they said is not what the word of God meant. We sometimes fool ourselves in believing this or that is what his word said and quote it or take it out of context, and when you do, you change the meaning of what Jesus or the apostles were actually saying.
2) Study the word to cause yourself to grow.
Example: Just because you heard that someone got strong by eating certain things and you eat it, you might just find out, that nothing in your body has changed. I remember watching the cartoon Popeye the Sailor man with my boys, when they were much younger, who was a wimp until he ate a can of spinach. After he ate the can of spinach, he whipped everyone in sight, including Bluto. Well if we go around and think we are strong in the Lord and in the power of his might by hearing what someone else said the word of God said instead of building ourselves up in the word, we will be beaten every time.
Let’s eat the word for ourselves like Popeye ate spinach!
There are too many people that believe and try to live their lives based upon what Uncle Joe or Aunt Mary, or Brother so and so said that God said or meant and wonder why they fail as Christians, or in healing or in living a glorious life in God.
3) Take time daily to read the word, pray the word and say the word.
When you do this, then you can truly remind God of his word instead of repeating what Uncle Joe said.
God is wanting that more than what you think. His desire is for you to know him. Once you are acquainted with God, you know him, and he is your friend. When you accept Jesus as your savior you receive all that he offered. Let’s look at this from the natural side, you go out and make a friend, when you do, do you trust him or her on everything they say or do? Do you trust them immediately with handling your personal belongings? No, you get to know them well and become close enough that you can trust them with anything. How does this happen? By studying them and talking to them when you all get together for a visit. True friendship like this, happens over time. Well, the same with God, you must become friends with him, visit him every day and get to know him and by reading his letters sent to you. When this happens, you can trust him. Out of everyone I have met, Jesus, the Father God and the Holy Spirit are three that I can fully put my trust in. I can trust that when he tells me something, he will do it. When you get to truly know him, you will trust what his word says, without question and live your life as he desires you to.
God is Good and loves you!
Bill Lear
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