2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. King James Version (KJV)
I seldom use the KJV in the Verse of the Day posts but whenever I think of or come to this verse I revert back to the way I learned it in AWANA clubs. AWANA stands for "approved workmen are not ashamed". In place of study other translations use "be diligent" or "do your best" to present yourself to God. All three can be combined. Being diligent will involve study and both are necessary if we are to do our best in presenting ourselves, offering ourselves to God in service to Him.
We may not all be theologians but we do have our own theology. The verse challenges us to get it right. The word for "dividing" literally means to cut straight. I've built decks and done some woodwork in my time and this "cutting straight" is important when we try to build a deck or glue pieces of wood together in making furniture. If it is not straight it will not fit together properly. There would be unsightly gaps or variations in the space of a decks flooring which will reveal the work of the person who built the deck.
Study is necessary for our own theology to "fit" together. There may be times where things we hear may not line up with what we've heard or thought. God's Word, the Bible is what we need to turn to to "plane" the boards of our theology so that they fit together properly.
Let's do our best day by day to "cut straight" as we build and grow in our faith.
Mike
Follow the verse of the day at wwwmikesvotd.blogspot.com
2 Timothy 2:14-18
The Message (MSG)
14-18Repeat these basic essentials over and over to God's people. Warn them before God against pious nitpicking, which chips away at the faith. It just wears everyone out. Concentrate on doing your best for God, work you won't be ashamed of, laying out the truth plain and simple. Stay clear of pious talk that is only talk. Words are not mere words, you know. If they're not backed by a godly life, they accumulate as poison in the soul. Hymenaeus and Philetus are examples, throwing believers off stride and missing the truth by a mile by saying the resurrection is over and done with.
2 Timothy 2:14-18
The Message (MSG)
14-18Repeat these basic essentials over and over to God's people. Warn them before God against pious nitpicking, which chips away at the faith. It just wears everyone out. Concentrate on doing your best for God, work you won't be ashamed of, laying out the truth plain and simple. Stay clear of pious talk that is only talk. Words are not mere words, you know. If they're not backed by a godly life, they accumulate as poison in the soul. Hymenaeus and Philetus are examples, throwing believers off stride and missing the truth by a mile by saying the resurrection is over and done with.
2 Timothy 2:14-18
The Message (MSG)
14-18Repeat these basic essentials over and over to God's people. Warn them before God against pious nitpicking, which chips away at the faith. It just wears everyone out. Concentrate on doing your best for God, work you won't be ashamed of, laying out the truth plain and simple. Stay clear of pious talk that is only talk. Words are not mere words, you know. If they're not backed by a godly life, they accumulate as poison in the soul. Hymenaeus and Philetus are examples, throwing believers off stride and missing the truth by a mile by saying the resurrection is over and done with.
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