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Diligent To Present Yourself Paul’s writings, according to the Apostle
Peter in 2 Peter 3:15-17, can
be difficult to understand. Though difficult, his writings are truth; that we
need to live by. The instructions of
2 Timothy 2:15 need to be understood and applied.
Paul teaches us that a diligent pursuit of God’s word will result in
confident servitude and approval before God.
How do we use the scriptures properly and
as Paul admonishes, “diligently”? We
need to rightly divide the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15).
The term we have translated as “rightly divide” is
Orthotomounta: “to cut straight” or “to use properly”.
Let’s consider how this might be done by examining a diligent respect
for God’s will Respecting
Things that are Said by God God has said some things in past—the Old
Testament. God spoke through the prophets to the children of The former things—the Old Testament are
done away (Colossians 2:14). Those words are no longer authoritative: we cannot
please God by following or practicing the things under the old law (Romans
3:19-24). God gave some new commands
for our day. He has accomplished this one
specific way. For the period of time known as “the last days” God has
spoken through His Son: (Hebrews 1:1-2). Jesus has revealed God will on the
matters of the standard of judgment (John 12:48-50); the way to eternal life
(John 6:67-68); generally your life and mine (Matthew 7:21).
His recorded word is our instruction in righteousness (2 Timothy
3:16-17). Without this revealed word
we cannot know what is right or what is pleasing to our Creator. Respecting Things that God has NOT Said There are some things that God has not
said. God has lead us by the spoken
word—recorded—which we must respect
and adhere to (James 1:22-25). God has also established a boundary, which must
be respected—His silence.
Passages like Deuteronomy 17:2-7; Deuteronomy 18:20; Matthew 28:18-20 teach us
to follow those things which God has revealed and do only those things which He
authorized. Paul declared in 1 Corinthians 4:6 that we are,
“not think beyond that which is written.” Then John recorded the fact
that we must live within the boundaries of Christ’s teachings (2 John 9). For some reason man has a hard time
respecting God’s silence. There are those who say things like, “God didn’t
say not to”. Now when did this
ever work in life? The fact is we never expect to have to compile long lists of
things not to do just so someone might figure out what to do. We simply tell
someone what to do in the first place and the understanding that nothing else is
allowed is understood. Why do we want change the rule when it comes to religion?
Why would we think God would accept that type or reasoning?
This reasoning believes that unless it is outright condemned it is
allowed. Our goal must not be looking for things that are not condemned we must
search for the things, which are approved (2 Timothy 2:15). The passage does not
say, “be diligent to show your self not condemned by God,” much rather it
says, “be diligent to show yourself approved. “ The “Didn’t say, ‘I
couldn’t’” is not the right approach not is it rightly dividing the word. How do I know what God Expects? Please understand and keep in mind that you
have been using these three points for most of your life. When you have read
newspapers, books, magazines; even comic books you have used these means of
retrieving the information from the written word. These three points are simply
how we get information from any written words. We look for: direct commands or
statements—Go, Do, Take, Give, etc. We look for approved examples: those
things, which the author offers as instructive examples to help us see the work
of commands through real life application. In
the Bible we are looking for examples endorsed by the apostles, examples
specifically given as instruction and examples that are shown or declared as
right. We also look of necessary conclusions: These necessary conclusions can be
derived from direct statements, commands or examples.
They are conclusions that although they are not directly stated there is
no other conclusion to come to. Conclusion: The instructions of 2 Timothy 2:15 need to
be understood and applied with diligence. Paul teaches us that a diligent
pursuit of God’s word will result in confident servitude and approval before
God. We are given set parameters in which we must function. Within that frame we
have wonderful liberty to live, be happy and be pleasing to God. When God speaks we must listen and respect
Him. When God is silent, we must also listen and respect His silence. God has
authorized a plan of salvation for all who will respect Him and listen. Are
ready to make your life right with God? ~tss |