Through the Bible - Leviticus 15-16
Good morning,
J.I. Packer writes, "There are two different ways of reading the Bible which seem to me fundamental for anyone wanting to get the most out of it for himself or to lead others in spiritual things. One is to read straight through, over and over again, to get an overall perspective. The other is to study particular passages in detail - taking a few verses, setting them in context and digging into them. You could call these macrocosmic and microcosmic ways of reading scripture."
For today's verse we'll go to 2 Timothy to a verse that I've used before in these devotionals, but it has been a while and is worth repeating.
2 Timothy 2:15, NKJV Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
In using the method or practice (in keeping with being diligent in today's verse) you will find more and more how the Bible fits together as a whole and is not something that a bunch of different authors came up with on their own, independently.
I've been visiting my daughter, husband and my new granddaugher at their house. It is fairly new and has nice cabinets. We were just putting handles on the new cabinets and notices that when we tried to put the handles on they did not line up totally correct. Some of the cabinet doors had been hung "out of plumb".
Regarding "rightly dividing" MacArthur comments that it literally means " cutting it straight, a reference to the exactness demanded by such trades as carpentry, masonry, and Paul's trade of working with leather and tentmaking".
Our own beliefs are our own "sytematic theology". The study and application of what we learn should "fit together" like a carpenter's cabinet or a mason's wall.
What do your cabinets look like? If you own theology and the practice of it is off they'll probably be like the cabinets. A little "off plumb".
In Christ,
Mike
Approved and Disapproved Workers
14 Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. 17 And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, 18 who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ[c] depart from iniquity.” 20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. 21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. 22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. 24 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.
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