2Timothy 2:15 'Study to shew thyself approved unto God'
“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” Paul himself says elsewhere that he was not at all concerned about having man’s approval. In writing to the Corinthians he says, “With me it is a small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment” (1 Cor. 4:3). It made little difference to him whether men approved or blamed, but he was greatly concerned to have the approval of the Lord. And this is what he stresses here for us-that we need to study the Word so that we may be pleasing to Him who called us by His grace [2Tim. 1:9], who, has saved us in His infinite, loving-kindness, and has left us in this scene that we may glorify Him.
In the Old Testament we read of Abraham’s first son-that son, Ishmael, who was born of Hagar. You remember that all that was contrary to the mind of God. Abraham began to wonder if God was going to fulfill His promise in regard to Isaac who was to be born of Sarah [Gen. 16:1-2]. Instead of blessing coming to the household, there was trouble. Instead of Ishmael being a joy to Abraham and to Sarah, he was the very opposite [Gal. 4:22-23]. We read of Ishmael that he “shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren” (Genesis 16:11-12). Then long years afterward the time came for him to leave this life, and we are told, “He died in the presence of all his brethren” (Genesis 25:17-18). Ishmael was a man, as far as we have any record, who was never, in all his life, in the presence of God but lived in the presence of his brethren. He was one whom the world would admire. He was a man of the great open spaces, a daring warrior and a great hunter. He had all the characteristics that men like to see in one another, and so he had the approval of his brethren. But he did not have the approval of God.
It is quite possible for a man, even in the work of the Lord, to be approved by his brethren and not have the approval of God. And so the importance of heeding these words, “Study to show thyself approved unto God.” For not he who commends himself, nor whom his brethren commend is necessarily thus approved, but he whom the Lord commends. He whom God approves is the man who makes much of this blessed Book, who studies it and seeks to live in the power of the truth herein revealed. David prayed, “Order my steps in thy word” (Psalms 119:133). God has given us His Word, not only that it should unfold wonderful and precious things to us concerning the great, eternal future, but that through it we may learn how God would have us live as we go through this scene.
The Lord Jesus prayed for His disciples, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth” (John 17:17). As we meditate on the Word and let it direct our lives, we will be sanctified in this practical sense. Oh, the neglected Bibles in the homes of the people of God! Wherever you find a neglected Bible* you will also find a fruitless life. You will find a life out of fellowship with God. There will be nothing in that life that really honors Him. But where you find that the Word of Christ dwells richly in the heart and mind of a believer, then God will be glorified. So we are to study to show [shew] ourselves approved unto God. H.A. Ironside - excerpted from commentary on 2Timothy
NT Greek word translated to the English word 'study': 4704 spoudazo spoo-dad'-zo from 4710; to use speed, i.e. to make effort, be prompt or earnest:--do (give) diligence, be diligent (forward), endeavour, labour, study.
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[*note on neglected bibles: Perhaps worse even than a "neglected bible" is the widespread problem of the study/use of Westcott-Hort pseudo-bibles, e.g. NIV, NASB, ESV, etc. - which very essentially are the Word of God...reworded...into the 'word of Man'. The 'word of Man', note capital 'M', puffs up - 1Cor. 4:19-20. Studying 'powerless' Westcott-Horts then can never bring the approval of God. It can only, and often does, bring the puffed-up approval of men though; see: KJV only]
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2cor. 10:12 'For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise'
“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” Paul himself says elsewhere that he was not at all concerned about having man’s approval. In writing to the Corinthians he says, “With me it is a small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment” (1 Cor. 4:3). It made little difference to him whether men approved or blamed, but he was greatly concerned to have the approval of the Lord. And this is what he stresses here for us-that we need to study the Word so that we may be pleasing to Him who called us by His grace [2Tim. 1:9], who, has saved us in His infinite, loving-kindness, and has left us in this scene that we may glorify Him.
In the Old Testament we read of Abraham’s first son-that son, Ishmael, who was born of Hagar. You remember that all that was contrary to the mind of God. Abraham began to wonder if God was going to fulfill His promise in regard to Isaac who was to be born of Sarah [Gen. 16:1-2]. Instead of blessing coming to the household, there was trouble. Instead of Ishmael being a joy to Abraham and to Sarah, he was the very opposite [Gal. 4:22-23]. We read of Ishmael that he “shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren” (Genesis 16:11-12). Then long years afterward the time came for him to leave this life, and we are told, “He died in the presence of all his brethren” (Genesis 25:17-18). Ishmael was a man, as far as we have any record, who was never, in all his life, in the presence of God but lived in the presence of his brethren. He was one whom the world would admire. He was a man of the great open spaces, a daring warrior and a great hunter. He had all the characteristics that men like to see in one another, and so he had the approval of his brethren. But he did not have the approval of God.
It is quite possible for a man, even in the work of the Lord, to be approved by his brethren and not have the approval of God. And so the importance of heeding these words, “Study to show thyself approved unto God.” For not he who commends himself, nor whom his brethren commend is necessarily thus approved, but he whom the Lord commends. He whom God approves is the man who makes much of this blessed Book, who studies it and seeks to live in the power of the truth herein revealed. David prayed, “Order my steps in thy word” (Psalms 119:133). God has given us His Word, not only that it should unfold wonderful and precious things to us concerning the great, eternal future, but that through it we may learn how God would have us live as we go through this scene.
The Lord Jesus prayed for His disciples, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth” (John 17:17). As we meditate on the Word and let it direct our lives, we will be sanctified in this practical sense. Oh, the neglected Bibles in the homes of the people of God! Wherever you find a neglected Bible* you will also find a fruitless life. You will find a life out of fellowship with God. There will be nothing in that life that really honors Him. But where you find that the Word of Christ dwells richly in the heart and mind of a believer, then God will be glorified. So we are to study to show [shew] ourselves approved unto God. H.A. Ironside - excerpted from commentary on 2Timothy
NT Greek word translated to the English word 'study': 4704 spoudazo spoo-dad'-zo from 4710; to use speed, i.e. to make effort, be prompt or earnest:--do (give) diligence, be diligent (forward), endeavour, labour, study.
***
[*note on neglected bibles: Perhaps worse even than a "neglected bible" is the widespread problem of the study/use of Westcott-Hort pseudo-bibles, e.g. NIV, NASB, ESV, etc. - which very essentially are the Word of God...reworded...into the 'word of Man'. The 'word of Man', note capital 'M', puffs up - 1Cor. 4:19-20. Studying 'powerless' Westcott-Horts then can never bring the approval of God. It can only, and often does, bring the puffed-up approval of men though; see: KJV only]
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2cor. 10:12 'For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise'
2 comments :
Verse 133 of Psalm 119 changed my life, by God's grace.
Without wanting to go off topic, Tom, can you cover the ongoing transfer-agenda. Search ‘transvestigation' on that video sharing site (e.g. Junglesurfer channel). The Lord has recently opened my eyes to this widespread phenomenon - across all levels of society/ MSM. Nothing is what it seems, people perceived to be women/ men are NOT so; Bruce Jenner is a mere distraction. Total deception and depravity. And any thoughts on the (UK) referendum to stay/ exit “the REFORMED European Union“.
Anon,
First on the UK 'potentially' leaving the EU - since the vote on this is not until the end of June nothing can be known until then as far as any impact on world politics. Until then, for me, i'm not really paying too much attention. We'll have to see if it actually happens first, and then see what the fallout would be, and then figure out where they (the global planners) would be going with the 'shake-up'. Four months out though so we can only wait and see at this point.
As for Junglesurfer - i've seen some of his videos before but not his 'transvestigation' of the Fashion Industry and Hollywood. Looked at a few and what he's pushing is something that has been floating around the www for a while now, in particular the claims about so many of the Hollywood women actually being 'transgendered men'.
What he's saying about the Fashion Industry is true. The Fashion industry is taken over by it 100%. For instance, walk through a mall and look at the fashion/jewelry models in the poster ads and they look to be 1/2 to 2/3 boys dressed as girls, or at the least strongly androgynous. Most pathetic thing is that probably next to none realize what they are seeing. This truly is subliminal psychological warfare.
As for the Hollywood women though i'm just not buying it, not for a second. For example, he's got Ellen, Beyonce, Sade, and others - all actually being men. These are women (some of the images in the videos are spurious too - like they may not really be the person they are supposed to be). A sex-change man-to-woman can fool only for a while. For instance, someone who never heard of Bruce Jenner would be able to tell pretty quickly that this is not a woman. Their overall presentation will eventually give them away. Could there be a few? -suppose it is possible but without going down the list of names overall it seems to me that the only thing 'junglesurfer' is actually doing is adding 'more' confusion (chaos) to the whole trans-agenda thing.
Whether he would be doing this purposely is another question - which will have to remain unanswered at least for now.
Anyway that's my take on it...
Rev. 18:4
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