by Jim Poland
We are admonished, as was Timothy, to be diligent, rightly dividing the Word of God. “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). The word translated “dividing” means to cut straight, handle aright, to teach the truth directly and correctly.
We are admonished, as was Timothy, to be diligent, rightly dividing the Word of God. “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). The word translated “dividing” means to cut straight, handle aright, to teach the truth directly and correctly.
When someone tells us that we are doing things all wrong, don’t just believe it. If we have been following the commands of Jesus and His apostles and prophets of the New Testament, if we are patterning our worship and service after the examples of the New Testament church, and if we are interpreting from necessary inference in the Scripture, then do not believe them! Give diligence to be approved of God! Rightly divide the Word.
The Holy Spirit, through the apostle, charges that the Word of God be preached! “I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the liv- ing and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom; preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all long suffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers” (2 Timothy 4:1-3).
Peter was inspired to command that we speak as God would have us speak (1 Peter 4:11). To the church at Colosse, the Bible says, “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Colossians 3:17).
This is vital because the living and the dead will one day be judged, and that according to God’s Word (2 Timothy 4:1,2; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10)!
The Bible must be fed into the human mind in order for one to have the faith that saves. The human mind has those main functions that influence one another, but yet are independent: Intellect, Emotions, and Will. The Bible must reach all these functions in order to enlighten, mature, save, make one free, make one wise, and purify the total person.
You cannot put garbage into the mind and expect anything but garbage out, unless it is processed as garbage and rejected.
God has given us the ability to go against our past experiences, to rise above what the world may throw at us. However, we must put God first intellectually, emotionally, and determinably. We must study the Bible to know intelligently, we must adore it as God’s will to guide our emotions, and we must deter- mine to make His will our will.
The forces that are so popular and respected in the world are all battling for your mind and your heart, every minute of the day. You are the deciding factor in their success or failure, by your commitment to enshrine God’s word in your heart. We cannot stay alive in Christ without daily Bible study to offset the onslaught of Satan!
The Holy Spirit, through the apostle, charges that the Word of God be preached! “I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the liv- ing and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom; preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all long suffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers” (2 Timothy 4:1-3).
Peter was inspired to command that we speak as God would have us speak (1 Peter 4:11). To the church at Colosse, the Bible says, “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Colossians 3:17).
This is vital because the living and the dead will one day be judged, and that according to God’s Word (2 Timothy 4:1,2; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10)!
The Bible must be fed into the human mind in order for one to have the faith that saves. The human mind has those main functions that influence one another, but yet are independent: Intellect, Emotions, and Will. The Bible must reach all these functions in order to enlighten, mature, save, make one free, make one wise, and purify the total person.
You cannot put garbage into the mind and expect anything but garbage out, unless it is processed as garbage and rejected.
God has given us the ability to go against our past experiences, to rise above what the world may throw at us. However, we must put God first intellectually, emotionally, and determinably. We must study the Bible to know intelligently, we must adore it as God’s will to guide our emotions, and we must deter- mine to make His will our will.
The forces that are so popular and respected in the world are all battling for your mind and your heart, every minute of the day. You are the deciding factor in their success or failure, by your commitment to enshrine God’s word in your heart. We cannot stay alive in Christ without daily Bible study to offset the onslaught of Satan!