"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the Word of Truth." 2 Timothy 2:15
I attended the gospel praise Bible study last night with Russ and this was their memory verse. I found that interesting since I've been studying 2 Timothy for the past week or so and this is one of the verses that strikes me as life altering when I consider what it says.
When I think of doing my best, a lot of different things come to mind. Hard work in preparation for various music auditions, the auditions themselves, a disc golf tournament I played in, a fitness test for the Navy, etc. I look back on 25+ years and consider how many times I've done my best verses the number of times I've come up short of my potential. For most of my life, God has put it on my heart to do my best and be successful, but I was blind to the success that God most desired for me. God didn't desire musical success to be at the top of the list nor did He desire any other success above living a godly life that continually grows in Christ's likeness. Consider that a moment for yourself because God wants this for all of His children! I thank and praise Him for His patience, discipline and love that have brought me to a Spirit-filled life. By the grace of God, I continue to walk in light of God's love for me and the loving response of obedience that Scripture describes in such amazing detail.
I ponder the question "what does it look like to be one approved of by God and one who has nothing to be ashamed of?" To understand what is required, I'm drawn to Luke 9:23 "And he said to all, 'if anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.'" The directions Christ gives are clear and easy to understand. Deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and follow Jesus Christ and you will be one approved of by God.
My love of Scripture is the greatest blessing that God has been growing in me recently. When I consider the above Scripture, my first thoughts are "how do I get there?" and "how do I do what Christ demands?" I'm convinced that it is the consistent study, meditation, memorization, and discussion of Scripture that gives us the understanding necessary to be a worker who has nothing to be ashamed of.
"Rightly handling the Word of Truth"
Most of my meditation on this verse was regarding what it looks like to rightly handle the Word of God. I started considering all of the character traits that develop when a person is passionate about reading the Word and this is what I came up with.
1. Contentment. Paul writes to Timothy that there is great gain in godliness with contentment. When we understand that God provides us with all we need, we can let go of the things in this world and more completely focus on Christ. Coincidentally enough (as if it was created to be this way ;0), the more we focus on Christ, the more contentment becomes our character.
2. Passion. As our understanding of God's Word deepens, our natural inclination is to be more and more astonished about God, His love for us, and all of the qualities that make Him wonderfully beautiful. I know in my own life that the more I learn about God and experience His blessings, the more passionate I become about serving Him obediently because of my growing love for my Lord and Savior. This again is no coincidence!
3. Joy. The more I consider the cross and just how marvelous it is that Christ did what He did for me while I was His enemy, the more awed I am. Jesus' sacrifice eliminated my need to die AND made me righteous in the eyes of God. Is there anything that should ever take the smile from my face or yours if we live in understanding of that Truth?! I beg you to think of anything that should rob us of joy in light of Christ crucified.
4. Love. My love of Christ grows the more I marvel in His Truth. As I understand God's Word more clearly, my love increases and so does my desire to deny myself and follow Christ. Experiencing my love for Christ grow is irreplaceable and nothing compares. As I my fellowship with Christ improves, I can't help but think about those around me more. Whether they are followers of Christ, people seeking the Truth, or people completely opposed to God, my attitude should be one of love. What better way to show our passion for Christ and the joy in our lives than loving our enemies who oppose God? My attitude towards others has eternal significance and I pray often that God would bless me with the right response when I am wronged or when I mess up and need forgiveness. How are you doing with this? I know I fail far more than I succeed when I honestly look at my attitude towards people. Thankfully, the Lord is working on my heart to change that!
It's so great of God to give us this checklist that we can use to determine our success. How am I handling the Word of Truth? Am I reading it? Am I considering how it should influence my life? Am I seeing how awesome God is when I open the Bible? Does it spur me to action? Does it convict me that I need to make some changes? Am I ashamed about anything? Or am I doing my best to be one who is approved by God?
I will be taking an honest look at my life and considering these questions. I pray that you choose to do the same and act accordingly. Let's rejoice and thank the Lord that He is good and will see the work that He began in us on to completion!
I attended the gospel praise Bible study last night with Russ and this was their memory verse. I found that interesting since I've been studying 2 Timothy for the past week or so and this is one of the verses that strikes me as life altering when I consider what it says.
When I think of doing my best, a lot of different things come to mind. Hard work in preparation for various music auditions, the auditions themselves, a disc golf tournament I played in, a fitness test for the Navy, etc. I look back on 25+ years and consider how many times I've done my best verses the number of times I've come up short of my potential. For most of my life, God has put it on my heart to do my best and be successful, but I was blind to the success that God most desired for me. God didn't desire musical success to be at the top of the list nor did He desire any other success above living a godly life that continually grows in Christ's likeness. Consider that a moment for yourself because God wants this for all of His children! I thank and praise Him for His patience, discipline and love that have brought me to a Spirit-filled life. By the grace of God, I continue to walk in light of God's love for me and the loving response of obedience that Scripture describes in such amazing detail.
I ponder the question "what does it look like to be one approved of by God and one who has nothing to be ashamed of?" To understand what is required, I'm drawn to Luke 9:23 "And he said to all, 'if anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.'" The directions Christ gives are clear and easy to understand. Deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and follow Jesus Christ and you will be one approved of by God.
My love of Scripture is the greatest blessing that God has been growing in me recently. When I consider the above Scripture, my first thoughts are "how do I get there?" and "how do I do what Christ demands?" I'm convinced that it is the consistent study, meditation, memorization, and discussion of Scripture that gives us the understanding necessary to be a worker who has nothing to be ashamed of.
"Rightly handling the Word of Truth"
Most of my meditation on this verse was regarding what it looks like to rightly handle the Word of God. I started considering all of the character traits that develop when a person is passionate about reading the Word and this is what I came up with.
1. Contentment. Paul writes to Timothy that there is great gain in godliness with contentment. When we understand that God provides us with all we need, we can let go of the things in this world and more completely focus on Christ. Coincidentally enough (as if it was created to be this way ;0), the more we focus on Christ, the more contentment becomes our character.
2. Passion. As our understanding of God's Word deepens, our natural inclination is to be more and more astonished about God, His love for us, and all of the qualities that make Him wonderfully beautiful. I know in my own life that the more I learn about God and experience His blessings, the more passionate I become about serving Him obediently because of my growing love for my Lord and Savior. This again is no coincidence!
3. Joy. The more I consider the cross and just how marvelous it is that Christ did what He did for me while I was His enemy, the more awed I am. Jesus' sacrifice eliminated my need to die AND made me righteous in the eyes of God. Is there anything that should ever take the smile from my face or yours if we live in understanding of that Truth?! I beg you to think of anything that should rob us of joy in light of Christ crucified.
4. Love. My love of Christ grows the more I marvel in His Truth. As I understand God's Word more clearly, my love increases and so does my desire to deny myself and follow Christ. Experiencing my love for Christ grow is irreplaceable and nothing compares. As I my fellowship with Christ improves, I can't help but think about those around me more. Whether they are followers of Christ, people seeking the Truth, or people completely opposed to God, my attitude should be one of love. What better way to show our passion for Christ and the joy in our lives than loving our enemies who oppose God? My attitude towards others has eternal significance and I pray often that God would bless me with the right response when I am wronged or when I mess up and need forgiveness. How are you doing with this? I know I fail far more than I succeed when I honestly look at my attitude towards people. Thankfully, the Lord is working on my heart to change that!
It's so great of God to give us this checklist that we can use to determine our success. How am I handling the Word of Truth? Am I reading it? Am I considering how it should influence my life? Am I seeing how awesome God is when I open the Bible? Does it spur me to action? Does it convict me that I need to make some changes? Am I ashamed about anything? Or am I doing my best to be one who is approved by God?
I will be taking an honest look at my life and considering these questions. I pray that you choose to do the same and act accordingly. Let's rejoice and thank the Lord that He is good and will see the work that He began in us on to completion!
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