Approved

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Let me ask you this: when you read your Bible are you looking for ways to be approved or proof that you are approved? I ask that because there are answers to both questions found within its pages.

If you’re reading and studying in order to find a way to make yourself approved, you’re going to be disappointed. There is nothing that you can do to win God’s approval. I’m not saying you won’t find ways to work at gaining God’s approval; I’m saying you won’t be able to gain God’s approval through your works. The Bible is, to quote an old friend, “chock-a-block full” of rules and regulations. And, if you’re able to fully follow all of those rules and regulations, you’ll be approved by God. The flip side of this, however, is if you fail in one of those rules or regulations, you’re guilty of them all (James 2:10).

It’s in this time of failure that the Devil can creep in and make his move. It’s inevitable, if you’re working to show yourself approved to God, you’re going to fail. Failure leads to guilt. Guilt is the festering wound that the Devil can infect and poison the rest of your body through. Guilt brings about shame, fear, and regret. Guilt brings about anxiety, depression, and anger. Guilt brings about physical sicknesses and weakens the body’s immune system.

This is why it is so important to read the Bible and show yourself: approved. How are you, who is incapable of keeping the rules, approved? There is no other way except by the precious blood of Jesus Christ.

Christians, we don’t need to look for ways to live right; we know the rules! We need to look for a solution to our inability to follow the rules perfectly; we need to look for our Savior, Jesus. If you look, you’ll find that He is found written in all of the pages of the Bible. Both the Old and the New Testament are filled with stories that show us how perfect Jesus is. The Bible is filled with His perfection and reminds us that, because of Him, we are approved.

Knowing your approval is found in Christ is just the beginning of the blessing. It is this knowledge that will make you a workman who is not ashamed. Knowing your status, approved by the finished work of Christ, will empower you to do the good works that God has prepared for you (Ephesians 2:10). You’ll be able to boldly proclaim the truth of God’s word, Jesus Christ (John 14:6). You’ll be able to serve in church with unceasing energy. You’ll be able to love your spouse and parent your children with grace.

This is rightly dividing the word of truth: being able to separate the law from the Giver of the law. When the Word is fleshed out (John 1:14), and His grace and truth revealed, we’re able to find our approval. Our approval isn’t found in our unending works, but in the finished work of Jesus Christ.