2 Timothy 2:15 "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
As we look at our passage this morning, we see Paul writing to Timothy and encouraging him to "study to show thyself approved unto God." This word study speaks of being diligent or zealous, to present our- selves "approved" (qualified) before God. As workman we are not to be ashamed or embarrassed by faulty workmanship, but we are to "rightly divide," literally 'cut straight,' the revealed Word of God, here called "the word of truth." This setting forth of divine revelation without distortion, perversion or contradiction is possible only if we, the workman of God, diligent labor to discern the various subjects in Scripture and make application accordingly.
Only then will we be able to do what Paul urges in verse 16, "shun
profane and vain babblings," in short, we must deliberately avoid
meaningless talk (no matter how deep it may seem) and running off at the mouth. Why? "For they will increase unto more ungodliness." An empty can makes a lot of noise and has no real value until it has been filled with something of value... for every Christian that is the Word of God.
Though we gain the highest education possible without God we are nothing but educated fools. It is of ultimate importance that all
that we do is approved of God. We must daily strive to be closer to
Him through meditating on His Word and though much prayer.
Yet, Paul let's us know that this will not be easy for Romans 7:18-23 says... "For I know that in me (that is in my flesh) dwells no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that
dwells in me. I find then a law, that when I would do good, evil is
present with me.
For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see
another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members."
What is Paul saying? There is a bloody civil war going on inside of
him and he wonders aloud in verse 24 how he shall escape or be
delivered from this turmoil, "O wretched man that I am! who shall
deliver me from the body of this death?" This is a question for all
of us this morning, "Who shall deliver me from the body of this
death?"
Thank God that Paul answers the question in verse 25, "I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord." Praise God that we have a deliverer who gives peace to my soul in the midst of the war within.
This Christian walk is not an easy one. We must strive daily to do
God's will, but first, we must know God's will which shall be revealed to us through the study and meditation of God's Word.
PERSONAL NOTE: Though I send these notes out to you daily, don't
trust my word, but weigh it against the ultimate standard the Word of God. For I, like Paul and all of you, fight a battle daily against
Satan that our work may be pleasing to God.
Have a Blessed Day...Be PRAYERFUL and THANKFUL for all things!!!
Good Morning,
What a blessing it is to be back on line after an absence of a week
and half, but just like two lovers...absence (of the Word of God)
makes the heart grow fonder. It is not until we have been without
that God gives us an appreciation of what we have. The LORD has
blessed me to share these morning notes for 5 years and though they
may have been a blessing to many, the greatest blessing has been to me
through whom God has allowed His blessings to flow!
As we start this day,...
Remember that TODAY is the First Day of the Rest of YOUR LIFE!
LIVE IT ACCORDINGLY!!!
On to our note for today...
**********************************************************************
TO THEM OF LIKE PRECIOUS FAITH
2 Timothy 2:15
"Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to
be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
**********************************************************************
As we look at our passage this morning, we see Paul writing to Timothy
and encouraging him to "study to show thyself approved unto God."
This word study speaks of being diligent or zealous, to present our-
selves "approved" (qualified) before God. As workman we are not to be
ashamed or embarrassed by faulty workmanship, but we are to "rightly
divide," literally 'cut straight,' the revealed Word of God, here
called "the word of truth." This setting forth of divine revelation
without distortion, perversion or contradiction is possible only if
we, the workman of God, diligent labor to discern the various subjects
in Scripture and make application accordingly.
Only then will we be able to do what Paul urges in verse 16, "shun
profane and vain babblings," in short, we must deliberately avoid
meaningless talk (no matter how deep it may seem) and running off at
the mouth. Why? "For they will increase unto more ungodliness." An
empty can makes a lot of noise and has no real value until it has been
filled with something of value... for every Christian that is the Word
of God.
Though we gain the highest education possible without God we are
nothing but educated fools. It is of ultimate importance that all
that we do is approved of God. We must daily strive to be closer to
Him through meditating on His Word and though much prayer.
Yet, Paul let's us know that this will not be easy for Romans 7:18-23
says...
"For I know that in me (that is in my flesh) dwells no good thing: for
to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I
find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I
would not, that I do.
Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that
dwells in me. I find then a law, that when I would do good, evil is
present with me.
For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see
another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and
bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members."
What is Paul saying? There is a bloody civil war going on inside of
him and he wonders aloud in verse 24 how he shall escape or be
delivered from this turmoil, "O wretched man that I am! who shall
deliver me from the body of this death?" This is a question for all
of us this morning, "Who shall deliver me from the body of this
death?"
Thank God that Paul answers the question in verse 25, "I thank God
through Jesus Christ our Lord." Praise God that we have a deliverer
who gives peace to my soul in the midst of the war within.
This Christian walk is not an easy one. We must strive daily to do
God's will, but first, we must know God's will which shall be revealed
to us through the study and meditation of God's Word.
PERSONAL NOTE: Though I send these notes out to you daily, don't
trust my word, but weigh it against the ultimate standard the Word of
God. For I, like Paul and all of you, fight a battle daily against
Satan that our work may be pleasing to God.
Have a Blessed Day...Be PRAYERFUL and THANKFUL for all things!!!
Edward Price