Most people have a desire to do their best work and gain their employer’s favor. As a workman for God,  we should labor all the more to be a faithful worker. The Apostle Paul gave Timothy specific instructions how to gain God’s approval:

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)

Paul commands Timothy to be diligent.  This word conveys the idea of conscientiously doing a task with intense effort and motivation. It suggests zealous concentration coupled with an intensity of purpose. This is not the picture of a dilettante, but one of an all out commitment. How diligent are you to give your utmost for service unto God?

The word for approved denotes that which has been tested and is authorized for service. This word was used to describe coins that were genuine because they had been purified by fire. Christians seek to be approved by God as they grow in godliness. When we are approved we do not experience the painful emotions of shame or guilt.

We gain God’s approval as we accurately handle God’s word. This literally means to make a straight cut. Metaphorically, this word describes one who is carefully performing a task. The present tense calls for us to make this a continuous habit. Paul was a tent maker by trade and perhaps he had in mind the need to accurately cut the pieces so they could properly fit together.

There are three questions that will help you in accurately handling the word of truth. The first is “What does it say?” This is the principle of observation. The Psalmist uttered this prayer:

Open my eyes, that I may behold wonderful things from Thy law. (Psalm 119:18)

Next, “What does it mean?” This is the principle of interpretation. If we do not interpret the text correctly, then we may have the wrong meaning. There was a young boy listening to the story of Lot as Lot was warned to take his family and flee. When Lot’s wife looked back; however, she was turned into a pillar of salt. The young boy was puzzled and asked, “What happened to the flea?”

Finally, we ask, “How does it apply to my life?” This is the principle of application. If our lives do not demonstrate Christlike behavior, we are not accurately handling God’s truth. This was the problem of the Pharisees, although they knew the truth they were not living it. Jesus uttered this strong warning in the Sermon on the Mount:

Not everyone who says to Me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. (Matthew 7:21)

Are you living your life as one who is approved to God? The true test of being approved to God is not our intellect, but our obedience.

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark

Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University

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