Study to be Approved!

Rev. J. Loren Russell

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

No one should have to be prodded to study. Everyone who has been accepted into a school, a job, an organization, promoted, placed in a position of leadership, understand that studying is not only expected, but also necessary. To understand the curriculum, the specifics of a job, the objectives of an organization, the requirements for the leadership role, it is expected that you study to show yourself worthy, and to keep up with the nuances of the assignment.

Paul writes to his protégé, a young man named Timothy, to encourage him to be about the business of studying. Paul only gave Timothy this reminder one time. The expectation was that the high call of the Lord in his life would be the only encouragement he needed to study. He had been called into a key leadership role, so studying was needed to show himself worthy of that calling. He was to study the Word of God and the letters Paul wrote to him that would help him to understand God’s will for His people.

In this letter, Paul shared practical doctrine that would help Timothy to effectively counter the teachings of at least two individuals. Paul identified Hymenaeus and Philetus as idle babblers who were responsible for the increase of ungodliness. Their poisonous message, Paul warns, was spreading like cancer. They were spreading worthless and divisive philosophies that were based on their own experiences, not the truth of the scripture.

Hymenaeus and Philetus were not studying to show themselves approved by God. But Paul instructed Timothy to be an ambassador of Christ by studying. He could then be able to “rightly divide” or help others to apply the truth of the word in their lives. Timothy was instructed to maintain a regimented time of study.

In like manner, we should not have to be prodded to study on a regular basis. It should be our delight and joy to study, to show ourselves approved, and able to rightly divide, or correctly distinguish between the truth of the word of God and the lies of the devil (v. 26).

Be Blessed!

Rev. J. Loren Russell is President/CEO of The JLR Company and The J. Loren R Consulting, LLC for Church Financial Strategy & Consulting, an associate minister at both Goodwill and The Greater Universal Baptist Churches in the Bronx, creator & host of “Matters of Faith – The Radio Show” Mondays 8:00 – 10:00 PM on Facebook LIVE and author of Matters of Faith: The Book (eBook available at www.smashwords.com/books/view/993177)

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