NO MORE; NO LESS

NO MORE; NO LESS

READ:
2 Timothy 2:14-26

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

Recently I was reading about how easy it is to mishandle the message of the Bible.  We may try to make it support what we already believe is true instead of allowing it to speak to us with God's intended message.  Some people use the Bible to defend one side of an issue, while others us the Bible to attack the same issue.  Both quote Scripture to support their views, but both can't be right.

It is important as we use God's Word that we are committed to saying no more and no less than the Scriptures actually say.  If we mishandle the Word, we misrepresent it, which ultimately misrepresents God's character.  This is why Paul challenged Timothy, "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).  A key priority for unashamed, approved workers for Christ is to accurately interpret ("rightly divide") God's Word.  As we study, we can depend on the Spirit, who inspired it, to give us understanding and wisdom.

Through our words and actions, we have opportunity to represent God's Word in ways that genuinely reflect God's heart.  That is one of the greatest privileges of the Christian life. -Bill Crowder

Father, thank You for giving us Your Word to guide
our lives.  May we give it the serious care and
handling it so richly deserves, and may we live it
out daily through our actions and attitudes.  Amen.


INSIGHT
Paul uses the metaphor of a master craftsman to emphasize the importance of care in handling the Word of God (v.15).  Context, historic background, grammar, and sensitivity to the guidance of the Holy Spirit all play a vital role in helping us to draw an accurate meaning from the text.

Have a blessed day.
God Our Creator's Love Always
Unity & Peace