SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 2/15/2025 9:54 AM
My Worship Time Focus:
PT-1 “False Teaching Brings Shame on
the Teachers”
Bible Reading & Meditation Reference:
2 Timothy 2:15
Message of the
verse: “Be
diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to
be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.”
We begin this morning to look at Paul’s second
warning about false teaching which is by means of contrast as seen in 2 Timothy
2:15. “Contrary to such preventers of
God’s truth as those mentioned by Peter, Timothy was to be diligent to present
[himself] approved to God.”
Now if you read the KJV of the Bible this verse is
translated “Study to show yourself approved to God, a workman that needs not to
be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” Perhaps this is how you remember this verse,
but now I want to quote from MacArthur’s commentary to see why he likes the
NASB in how it is translated.
Spoudazo
(to be diligent) carries the idea of having zealous persistence to
accomplish a particular objective. The diligent
believer-in this context, the diligent teacher-gives maximum effort to impart
God’s truth as completely, as clearly, and as unambiguously as possible. He gives unreserved commitment to excellence
in examining, interpreting, explaining, and applying God’s Word. It is for that reason that ‘elders who rule
well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at
preaching and teaching’ (1 Timothy 5:17).”
Now you have probably noticed that I have named by
blog “2 Timothy 2:15” and what is written above is why I named it that as I
make every effort to write things on my blogs that are approved unto God, and
that is why I have so many quotes on my Spiritual Diaries from people that I
have the upmost respect in their understanding of the Word of God. I count it a
privilege to study the Word of God with help from John MacArthur’s commentaries
and sermons along with the late Dr. Warren Wiersbe as when I was studying the
Old Testament for many hears I would get help from Dr. Wiersbe’s “Be” books as
I have the entire collection in my library.
I have great respect also for my former Pastor who is now with the Lord
Dr. Jack Jacobs, along with another former Pastor Dr. Patrick Odle who is now
the president of Baptist Mid Missions.
There are two people who are in my small Sunday school class who I also
respect and learn from, Dr. Gary Anderson, and Dr. Glen Rohrabach, and then
there are others who I have listened to on the radio or on TV that I have great
respect for. I desire to do exactly what
2 Timothy says as I write my Spiritual Diaries each day “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a
workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.”
John MacArthur writes the following, something that
certainly goes along with my goal in writing my Spiritual Diaries “The purpose
of that diligence is not to please others, and certainly not to please oneself,
but to present yourself approved to God.
Paristemi (to present
yourself) literally means to stand alongside of. The idea in this passage is that of standing
alongside of or before God, of presenting oneself for inspection, as it were,
in order to be approved by Him. Dokimos (approved) refers to favorably
passing careful scrutiny and thereby being counted worthy.”
It looks like it will take a few
days in order to get through this section as I my Spiritual Diaries are usually
shorter on both Saturday and Sunday. Now
to those who read my Spiritual Diaries I have a prayer request, something that
I hardly ever do. My wife is having
surgery a week from this coming Tuesday and needless to say we both covet your
prayers. Her name is Sandy and I know
that she especially would be thankful that you bring her before the Lord in
prayer.
Spiritual Meaning for My Life
Today: It is my desire to continue in my quest
to study the Word of God each day.
My Steps of Faith for Today: I desire to trust the Lord to give my wife and I peace,
peace that passes all understanding as we approach the day of her surgery.
2/15/2025 10:38
AM
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