Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. – 2 Timothy 2:15
In the centuries since the disciples of Jesus were commissioned to spread the Gospel, numerous groups have sprung up that put their focus on one aspect of God’s Word or another. According to the Center for the Study of Global Christianity, in the United States there are now more than 200 Christian denominations. While the first-century church had divisions, they were mostly geographic and cultural. Other divisions began to occur as false gospels crept in, and early schisms grew around faith and works (1 Timothy 1:3-7).
The Barna Research Group reports that, while many evangelical pastors preach on the need for unity among believers, deep divisions remain over cultural trends, worldviews, lifestyles, and even racial issues. They have found, as a result of so many divisions, that “a majority of practicing Christians feel misunderstood, persecuted, marginalized, sidelined, silenced, and afraid to speak up.” Divisions occur when God’s word is not “rightly handled.” One commentary says, “A text out of context is often a dangerous pretext.”
As you study Scripture, pray and depend on the Holy Spirit to give you instruction and wisdom. Read and meditate carefully on God’s Work. Drop preconceptions and ask the Lord to show you His truth. “Knowing this first of all that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation“ (2 Peter 1:20). Bible scholar and author Dennis Fisher wrote, “Precision with words is essential to an accurate interpretation of God’s Word. Let’s be people who care deeply about what the Bible says and what it means.” Pray for greater unity among believers across America, that the true Gospel would be accurately relayed, and that many would come to Christ.
Today’s Verse: 2 Timothy 2:15
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: 2 Peter 2:1-3, 18-21
2 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.
18 For, speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error. 19 They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved. 20 For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. 21 For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
