“Study and do your best to present yourself to God approved, a workman [tested by trial] who has no reason to be ashamed, accurately handling and skillfully teaching the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 AMP

God created us with ability to think and reason. Throughout much of the Scripture you will find God imploring man to consider his condition and decide. We read in the book Isaiah, 

“Study and do your best to present yourself to God approved, a workman [tested by trial] who has no reason to be ashamed, accurately handling and skillfully teaching the word of truth.” Isiah 1:18 AMP

Since sin invaded the life of man, man has forever struggled with the question “Who am I and why am I here?” “Is there a God and how can I know?” Whole worldview systems have developed trying to find the answer to those questions. We must then ask ourselves, “If I have the capability to think and reason, where can I find truth?” The definition of the noun is “the process of using one’s mind to consider or reason about something.” The process of thinking can be described as the process of judgement, contemplation, ideation, deliberation, introspection, meditation, realization, and reflection to name a few. Each of those activities takes time and effort to dissect an issue and come to a sound conclusion. The Greeks were masters of the process as they sat around and studied and debated the issues of life. What I am trying to say is that it takes time to and effort to finally reach a conclusion. Our verse today certainly supports that process.

The word “workman” used here is the term used to describe a surgeon or master craftsman.” Each of those vocations takes years of training and practice and can only be successful if the proper techniques and processes is used. I certainly would not want a man who simply thought he was a surgeon putting a knife to my chest to repair my heart! Why then would we allow other people who and skilled dictate how we should think and ask. Without reasoned, correct answers to our big questions, life makes no sense. Jesus gave us the key to reaching the correct conclusion,

“So Jesus was saying to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you abide in My word [continually obeying My teachings and living in accordance with them, then] you are truly My disciples. 32And you will know the truth [regarding salvation], and the truth will set you free (from the penalty of sin)” John 8:31-32 AMP

What was the penalty of sin? Ignorance, separation, and death! The question then becomes “What do we do with the truth?” We can ignore it and walk blindly along suffering the consequences of our actions or we can embrace the truth and begin the journey of knowing God better each and every day! Have a blessed day, Pastor Ken