WORK TO LEARN (AND USE)
2 Timothy 2:15Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
As a Christian, studying God’s Word is so very important. Studying the Bible brings us closer to God and helps us to find His Will for our lives. God’s Word is the Truth, and the Truth shall set us free.
John 8:31-32
Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Christ is the Truth!
John 14:6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
What does the word study mean in 2 Tim 2:15? The Greek word for study hear means to exert one’s self, endeavor, give diligence
If we are going to exert ourselves to study the Word of God, what is available to help us?
-Bibles – various translations, study Bibles
-Bible Dictionary – There are small and inexpensive up to thick and exhaustive ($$$).
-Commentaries – Typically in-depth verse by verse study and exposition of God’s Word.
-Bible Workbooks – Workbooks that focus on a particular Christian theme, section or book of the Bible.
-Christian Workbooks – Workbooks with scripture reading and memorization with exercises to dig into God’s Word.
-Daily Devotions – Typically short and to the point explanations and thoughts related to a specific scripture.
-Don’t forget Church – Sermons, Sunday School, Bible Study, etc.
-Christian Books – History, Biographies, Theology, etc.
-Multimedia – Radio, TV, Internet, CD’s, DVD’s, IPOD’s, etc.
What does it mean to be a ‘workman’?
Colossians 3:23
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
Do all you do as if you are doing it for God. Do it as if He is watching you (because He is!). Don’t waste your time and efforts trying to please ‘man’.
Don’t be ashamed of your love for God and His Word.
Luke 9:26For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels.
What does the last part of our verse mean, ‘rightly dividing the word of truth.’?
I believe this means understanding and using God’s Word for its intended purposes:
-To learn/teach about salvation through Christ.
-To be sanctified – to be set apart and to become more like Christ.
-To understand what God expects of us as Christians.
-To understand our history as Christians.
-To know what is coming in the future.
Without the Holy Spirit indwelling you (which only happens if you are a Christian), you can not understand God’s Word.
1 Corinthians 2:14But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
1 Corinthians 1:18
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
Prayer – Holy Father in Heaven, as I read Your Word and diligently work to learn more about You and what you want me to be, may your Holy Spirit lead, guide and teach me. May I honor You in all I do. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.
