Verse of the Day Devotion: 2 Timothy 2:15  

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.” – 2 Timothy 2:15

At the end of the Gospel of Matthew we read the following. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20.  After the resurrection of Jesus and before His ascension, Jesus met with His disciples and told them they were to go throughout the world and make disciples of all nations.  And through the many centuries from the time of Christ to now, people have been given the truth of the gospel and accepted the message and ultimately gave their lives to Christ.  And in this modern time, we as Christians have also accepted this message as well.  And since we have, we have become His disciples and are thus to do the same.

Now, since we are saved, it is important that in order to grow, we must spend time in His word, studying in preparation for going out and bringing this same message to others. And not just some of it but all of it.  “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17.  This is a critical part of our preparation for going into the world to spread His word, for people will ask questions of us and we must know what to tell them.  “but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;“ 1 Peter 3:15. 

And the only way we can do this is if we study His word as a treasure to be valued.  “My son, if you will receive my words And treasure my commandments within you, Make your ear attentive to wisdom, Incline your heart to understanding; For if you cry for discernment, Lift your voice for understanding; If you seek her as silver And search for her as for hidden treasures; Then you will discern the fear of the LORD And discover the knowledge of God.” Proverbs 2:1-5.

So, going back to our focus 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.” 2 Timothy 2:15.  We are to spend concerted time and effort in studying His word.  We are to read it and strive to understand what it is truly saying.  We should use whatever resources we have access to in ensuring we derive the true meaning intended.  When we have opportunities to learn from others who are well studied in the scriptures, we should take advantage of it.  And finally, we should in all cases become as the Bereans as Paul spoke of in his travels.  In reference to the Bereans, “Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.” Acts 17:11.  We should receive His word with great eagerness, so much so that we examine what we are told or examine carefully what we read and ensure it is correctly understood. 

It is important that we diligently prepare ourselves for the work God has called us to.  He has a calling for us all.  And no matter what that calling is, we should be ready to accurately explain His word to those who ask, and also live the life God called us to in order to show its reality.  And in all ways, be led by the Holy Spirit in all thing.  In this we will then “present ourselves approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15b.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries.