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Have an Accurate Understanding
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
Here the young evangelist is admonished to take extra precautions and put forth extra effort to be sure he is accurately handing the word of truth. As we consider our own study and the things we learn and teach others, we, too, must be certain to h ave an accurate understanding of God’s word. For instance, we see a verse the apostle Paul uses to teach the Galatians about mixing portions of the Old Covenant given to Moses on Sinai with the New Covenant mediated by Christ on Calvary. He tells them, “Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith” (Galatians 3.24). The “Law” he speaks of is the Law of Moses, received from God on Mount Sinai. The reason he insists on separating the two covenants is that Jesus said he came to fulfill the Old Covenant (Matthew 5.17). Paul confirms that in his letters to both the Ephesians (2.14-16) and Colossians (2.13-14).
This sets forth the concept many struggle with today. That concept is that the only way to the Father is through Jesus (John 14.6) by way of teaching (John 6.44-45) that comes by way of the Holy Spirit, who was directed by Jesus himself (John 16.13-14). Since Jesus has made known God’s word through the apostles and prophets (2 Peter 1.20-21), we know we must read and obey the guidance provided in the New Covenant.
Many of the differences between religions of today and those of the New Testament have arisen over the inability of men to distinguish between the Covenants. Some fail to recognize the difference in our worship in music between the days of David and the days of the New Covenant. Some have an inability to look to the New Covenant for guidance about the priesthood as given by Peter in 1 Peter 2.5-9, thereby confusing it with the Levitical priesthood and appointing men in a hierarchy over other brethren, when we are all now priest offering spiritual sacrifices (Romans 12.1-2).
Other differences occur when men do not give extra effort to understand what God demands, but instead assume he will be pleased with our ideas about worship. Once we decide we have any authority at all about what kind of worship pleases God, we have opened the door to any and all innovations of man. But the truth is that God is not pleased with our concepts of worship. Listen to what Paul says to both the Galatians and the Thessalonians: “For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ” (Galatians 1.10). “…But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts” (1 Thessalonians 2.4).
Logical reasoning here: Why do we believe the apostles were all martyred in one way or another? They could have avoided such horrible suffering and death if they had been willing to tailor their message to please those who were in power over them. They suffered and died because it was of extreme importance to live holy lives in harmony with the truth. They believed the truth would set them free. They believed the word of God was the truth and would sanctify them.
“So then let us follow after things which make for peace, and things whereby we may edify one another” (Romans 14.19). Do we wish to be sanctified in his word? If we do, we must understand such sanctification. It means we will be set apart for his purposes and will preach and teach the truth of his word, not bow to the ideas and whims of men who claim to have a better idea.
