Part 2 of the Bible 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.”
2nd Timothy 2:16

Yesterday we learned God defines your identity. Do not let your family, friends or people around you determine it for you. Your history and identity are truthfully presented in the pages of the Bible. God faithfully, lovingly and mercifully describes it. Because you are His and you belong to Him, God laid down a divine, unique well-planned purpose for your life.

Timothy was a young man called by God to be an evangelist and minister in the Christian church in Ephesus in the first century. The responsibility on his shoulder was heavy mainly because of the false teachings creeping around him and his church. False teachings and doctrines always try to undermine the truth of God. Timothy knew God called him to be a minister of Jesus Christ and the word of truth. Paul, an aged man, who is in prison for the sake of Christ and His Gospel, writing to Timothy. 2nd Timothy is the last letter the great apostle wrote before his martyrdom for the sake of the Gospel.

Paul says to Timothy, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God.” Then Paul says as a minister of the Word of God (Bible) Timothy must be a workman, who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.” The false teachers would eventually be ashamed because they perpetuate false doctrines. However, Timothy does not need to be ashamed if he accurately handles/divide the word of truth. Word of truth is the word of God- the Bible.

All ministers of the Bible are God’s workmen. They work for God because He called them with a heavenly calling for His ministry. How do they do this without shame? It says the secret -by accurately handling or dividing the word of truth-the Bible.

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.” As a minister, if you accurately handle the word of truth, you would be approved by God and would not be ashamed. Other translations include ‘make haste,’ ‘be eager and zealous,’ ‘study’ to present yourself to be approved by God. When God evaluates a minister’s work, he would have no shame, if he handles/divides the Bible accurately. Accurately handling the word of truth means ‘cut it straight or correct’ or ‘make a straight course or path.’ It is a skill a minister should acquire at a very high cost. Correct and accurate Bible teaching is a spiritual and intellectual endeavor. Ministers should be diligent in it with the help of the Holy Spirit indwelling in him and the intellect God granted him. Without the presence and assistance of the Holy Spirit, the study of the Bible make no sense to people.

Apostle Paul was a tent maker who knew the importance of right cutting. For designs and patterns, every piece would have to be cut diligently to fit together correctly. If one doesn’t cut the pieces right, the whole won’t put together correctly. The same principle should be applied to studying the Bible. If one doesn’t interpret the different parts accurately, the whole message won’t come thru accurate. A minister should cut it straight and correct. It is like cutting a straight road through the jungles so that the traveler can go to their destinations. Road making and tent making and construction workers need diligence. The same is true with the word of God. A minister should be precise, correct and accurate in handling the word of God. This is how a minister can present himself approved to God and he does not need to be ashamed as His workman.

Being a minister of the word of God is a high calling. The God who calls you for ministering His Word kindle fresh gifts inside you and (2nd Timothy 1:6) and opportunities outside you. The gifts and opportunities are from Him. However, a high responsibility to accurately handle/divide the word of God because of the presence of false teachers everywhere is on your shoulders. A faithful minister who handles the word of God accurately would not be ashamed, while the false teachers would eventually be ashamed.

Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, I know as a minister of your Word, I must be diligent to present myself approved to you as your workman by correctly and accurately handling your Word. If I do so, I would not be ashamed. Lord, I surrender my life to you and please equip me with the help of the Holy Spirit divide the Bible truthfully. What an awesome responsibility you give me on my shoulder and may I do it fearfully, faithfully and honorably for your name’s sake. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.”