Jump Start # 986

2 Timothy 2:15 “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.”

Our verse today is one that many of us have heard preachers use over and over in sermons. This verse contains four thoughts.

First, there is an attitude: Be diligent to present yourself. Get about it. Diligence gets on the ball and gets things done. This is not without thought, preparation and planning. However, it is also not putting things off, on the back burner or being lazy. Diligence is sometimes lacking in folks. They don’t seem to be in much of a hurry to get at it.

Second, there is a purpose:  be approved to God. Right with God. God pleased. Those who served in the military understand that when the bugle blew that they assembled in a hurry but they also assembled ready. Sloppy wouldn’t do it. This is not talking about military inspections but having a heart that God is approved of. Be diligent to present to God a heart that is approved. Jesus said in His sermon, “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness…” Seek to be right with God. Approved by God. What kind of things does God approve of? First, the things that He has authorized. Second, God approves of holy and righteous living. Third, God approves of those things that seek to glory Him. Approved by God. Checked off by God. Thumbs up by God. That only comes from a heart that is God thinking.

Third, there is an illustration: as a workman who does not need to be ashamed. What kind of workman is that? The one who does his job. Not all workman are like that. Some want the paycheck without working. Some want to find ways to get out of work yet still receive a paycheck. Some ought to be ashamed. They are not doing what they were hired to do. They are not working at all. Instead, we are to be like the worker who is not ashamed. He works hard. He works diligently. He works whether the boss is around or not. He is mindful and thankful to have a job and does it well. That’s the example. That’s the way we are to be. This is not about work, this is about presenting ourselves approved to God. Do it right. Do it in such a way that you are not ashamed.

Finally, there is an area of application: handling accurately the word of truth. This is what Paul is driving at. This is what he wanted others to be diligent in. This is one area we stand approved of God. This is how we are to be the workman who is not ashamed. Handle accurately the word of truth. Handle it carefully. Handle it with caution. Use the Bible properly. The Bible can be misused to teach things that God never intended. Taking things out of context, focusing upon one verse to the extent that the rest of the Bible is ignored, misunderstanding who is being spoken to, not understanding words, having a preconceived idea—are all powerful ways that the Bible can be used inaccurately. Inaccurate. Wrong. Not what it says. Put a verse behind an idea, build a ministry around it, gather up a few followers, publish a book, hire a PR firm to promote you and the next thing you know you are on stage before thousands believing that God is using you for something good. People testify about how you have helped them. The money rolls in. The movement swells. A huge staff is hired. Things seem to be rolling. There appears to be no stopping. Praise is given to all the great things God has done. Yet, it is all wrong. It is built upon inaccurate concepts and principles. It is a house of cards. People have been fooled. That is where we are today. So many books misuse Bible teachings. It is common for folks to think that God is still directly talking to them, just like He did the apostles. Beliefs in the end of times, what happens at death, salvation, worship, the role of the church have been mishandled so much and for so long, that the common guy on the street has no concept of what is the truth.

Paul’s words are for God’s people to be diligent…to be approved of God…like an unashamed workman…handling accurately the word of truth. The Bible, like medicine, if not used properly can be harmful and deadly. Accuracy is vital. Following the directions are vital.

Instead of reading what someone says about the Bible, including what I write, read the Bible for yourself. Instead of having someone else tell you, dig in there and figure some things out for yourself. Get your paper and pen out, do some note taking, do some thinking. Look up other verses. Use another translation. You’ll start to see things. You get the idea. Things will fall together. Quit being spoon fed by a preacher. Do your own thinking. Find the answers to your own questions.

Be diligent. Be approved. Be accurate. Those three “Be’s” will make all the difference in the world.

Roger