”Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
2 Timothy 2:15
Back in May, I was asked to speak at a local church for an Usher Day program. The topic was ”Who Are We? Servants Approved by God. My message was based on 2 Timothy 2:15. The message was broken into three parts: How to Study Thyself Approved Unto God, A Workman That Needeth Not To Be Ashamed, and Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth.
I want to share some context regarding this specific scripture. I strongly believe that one of the ways to understand the Word of God is to know the context of the verses.
The apostle Paul wrote a letter to Timothy, a young man in the faith that Paul mentored. They had a spiritual father-son relationship, and Timothy traveled frequently with Apostle Paul, working together in ministry. Timothy was Paul’s last disciple, and Paul taught Timothy well and encouraged him greatly. I have always admired their relationship.
The reasoning behind this specific scripture is simply put…false teaching. Some false teachers were leading others in the Church astray. Paul warned Timothy to study the Word, live a life pleasing to God, and correctly and gently explain the truth.
And we are still dealing with this same thing today. Many have left the faith, and some others prefer a church that tells them what they want to hear and is entertaining. As the apostle Paul warned Timothy, the same should ring true to the pastors and leaders in the church today. Not only to them, but also to each believer. The truth may not entertain, but it will most certainly set you free.
Study to Show Thyself Approved
Be intentional and diligent.
I love looking up word definitions and also the root words. As I was studying the word “intentional, I loved the definition Vocabulary’s website gave. The definition for intentional is done, made, or performed with purpose and intent. And one of the key characteristics of being diligent is thoroughness, which means to do things carefully rather than rushing.
We are encouraged to take the time to study and understand the word of God. God is always speaking, but at times we are never hearing. If we are always rushing, we may miss what God is saying. In Jeremiah 29:13-14a, God says, ”And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. And I will be found by you, saith the Lord.
The definition of search according to Merriam-Webster is to look into, over carefully or thoroughly in an effort to find or discover something. To uncover, find, to come to know.
When you are diligent in reading the scripture on purpose and seek God daily, He begins to reveal His nature and will to you.
Apply the Word to Your Life
In James 1:22 it says, ”But be ye doers of the word, not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”
Without life application, there’s no life transformation. But to apply the Scripture to our lives, we first need to understand it.
It is hard to apply what you don’t know. It is hard to walk in what you don’t understand. And it is hard to explain what is not revealed to you.
One of the main ways that God speaks to us is through Scripture, and He wants to use His word to renew our minds and transform our lives.
”All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip His people to do every good work.” – 2 Timothy 3:16-17
That is how you can show yourselves approved unto God. In other words, when we are diligent and intentional in studying and obeying His word, we will receive God’s approval; then He will be able to trust us to handle the Scriptures correctly.
A Workman That Needeth Not To Be Ashamed
I remember reading somewhere before that the statement above is defined as a person whose work, character, and dedication are so thorough and authentic that they have nothing to hide, fear, or apologize for when their efforts are evaluated.
In other words, when we live to please the Lord above all else, we have no reason to be ashamed. No reason to look over our shoulders. No reason to fear if our cover was blown, because when you live to please God and get His approval, the only cover you will need is the blood of Jesus.
If you want to learn how to live a godly life, read my blog titled: The Character of God: How to Live a Godly Life here.
Rightly Dividing The Word of Truth
Simply put, effectively and correctly explaining the word of God, which is the Truth, without distorting it, watering it down, or taking it out of context. It is important to rightly divide the word of Truth to combat the lies that you may hear. And what does the Truth do? Set you free.
But the problem is, we live in a world where people don’t accept the Truth. They believe the lie that tells them they can live their own truth, all the while staying in bondage. Bondage to fear, worry, and sin. And what does sin do? It separates you from God. But the solution to that is Jesus.
In John 14:1-6 it reads: Do not let your hearts be troubled, you believe in God, believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
You know the way to the place where I am going.
Thomas said: Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?
Jesus said, ”I am the way, and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
And yet, we hear many lies that you can live however you want to and still be saved. We hear lies that there are many ways to heaven.
But Jesus said…
I am the Way. I am the Door. I am the Bread. I am the Light. I am the Resurrection. I am the Good Shepherd, and I am the True Vine. (The Seven I Am’s in the Gospel of John)
What does the number seven represent biblically? Completion and Perfection.
When Jesus hung on that cross, He uttered three words before He gave up His spirit.
It Is Finished. (John 19:30)
The work Jesus was sent to do was to ”seek and save that which is lost” (Luke 19:10), to provide atonement for the sins of all who would ever believe in Him (Romans 3:23-25), and to reconcile sinful man to a Holy God. (2 Corinthians 5:18-19)
And it is our job as God’s representatives and workers to live holy and pleasing lives unto Him and correctly explain the way to a lost and dying world.
So let’s not forget Paul’s words: Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of Truth. – 2 Timothy 2:15 NLT.
Monique ST,
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