Show Yourself Approved

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2Timothy 2:15

Show yourself approved. We show ourselves this in our work. We study that we might rightly divide the word of truth, that our work is appropriate, correct. Approved unto G-d. Workmen that are unskillful or unfaithful or lazy have need to be ashamed. An what is their work? To divide the word of truth. Not to invent a new gospel, but rightly to divide the gospel that is committed to their trust. The author of it is the G-d of truth. It requires great wisdom, study, and care to divide this work of truth rightly. Timothy must study in order to do this well.
–Matthew Henry

This is how we show ourselves approved or acceptable in our work of rightly dividing the word. This study doesn’t make us saints; it doesn’t provide salvation. Y’shuaJesus died on the cross that we may have life, abundant life, and eternal life with G-d. And while we wait for Y’shuaJesus to bring us to Him, or to return to Earth, our work is our study of the truth. We show ourselves approved by doing this work right.

Once, long ago, three men sat on a train bound for Darjeeling. One, a pastor, began to explain some things to a German fellow named Jurgen. He went on an on and on. The third man, an American pastor, teacher, part-time evangelist, sat quietly trying not to get involved, not wanting to be rude. After all, it isn’t nice to contradict a pastor in public. Finally, something that the pastor that was speaking said struck this American. “No,” he cried out. And then he spoke the truth to these men.

We study the work and in becomes part of us. When the time comes, the word comes out through our words, our actions, who we are. The Spirit at work within us, transforming us into the saints that we became when we placed our faith in Y’shuaJesus, when we turned from our former lives to the truth.

Now let us be clear. We are being transformed. We have not yet arrived. One day we will. What a glorious day that will be. For on that day we will see Y’shuaJesus face to face. This is our hope. This is what gives our lives meaning. Come, Lord, Come! Maranatha! Praise the Name of the Lord.

Lord Bless, Keep, Shine. . .