*Text: 2 Tim. 2: 15*
“Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth”
Many people today will do anything, will go to any extent and do whatever is necessary to secure the approval of men but will care very little about securing God’s approval. A major reason for this is because they are convinced that their lifting, their wellness, their promotion in life is in the hands of men. This certainly is not true, the truth is that nobody can do anything for you unless God permits it. Man may propose to do things for you, but if God does not approve of it, they may propose all they want and may actually be sincere in their intentions, but it will not work. The scriptures says that every good and perfect gift comes from God (James 1: 17), scriptures also says that no one can receive anything unless it comes from heaven (John 3: 27), so seeking God’s approval should not be an option but a necessity because it is when He approves of us that He can be positively disposed towards us – to bless us and to generally look upon us with favor.
Our text is an admonition on what we need to do in order to secure God’s approval. The very first thing to note here is that lazy people will not be able to secure God’s approval. God can never be pleased with people who are lazy and the scriptures in various places warns against laziness and also reveals to us the dangers in being lazy. Whoever seeks God’s approval must be hard working in that which has been committed into his hands whether in the secular or spiritual realm. Christians who have a reputation in their place of work as lazy can never secure the approval of God. Such workers surely should be ashamed of themselves because they are an embarrassment to God, but workers who are hardworking, and diligent in their work have no need to be ashamed either before men or before God, scriptures says that they will stand before kings (Prov. 22: 29).
Secondly to seek God’s approval you must have a sound understanding of God’s word to the point that you are able to correctly apply it in your daily living. This implies of course that you must be committed to consistent engagement of God’s word because understanding is built upon knowledge, you need to first know what the word says for you understand it and then be able to rightly apply it. Many are manipulating and mutilating the word of God to appease their personal ego and to further their selfish, ungodly agenda, such people of course cannot expect to obtain God’s approval. Some take a lot of time in searching scriptures in search of scriptural passages that they can use to give some form of legitimacy to their ungodly lifestyle by twisting it to suit their purpose. This will definitely not secure approval for anyone before God.
Therefore your attitude to the responsibilities committed into your hands and your attitude to God’s word are the two determinants that will determine your standing with God. Which side of the divide are you? Are you approved or unapproved? Shalom
Prayer Points
1. Father you are the source of every good and perfect gift, thank you for the good and perfect gift that you have directed my way and the way of my family all these years.
2. Father please help me to conduct myself and to take all necessary steps that will cause me to be approved by you in Jesus name
3. Father as one approved by you, may your rain of blessings and favor never cease in my life and family in Jesus name
4. Father I receive grace to permanently continue to work hard in that which you have committed into my hands, I reject laziness in Jesus name
5. Father please help me to be permanently committed to the study and right application of your word in Jesus name.
