Monday, May 2, 2016

May 3 - 45 - 2 Timothy 2:15

Do your best to

present yourself to God

as one approved,

a worker who does not

need to be ashamed and

who correctly handles

the word of truth

2 Timothy 2:15

Bible Rank: 45

At our church we host AWANA.  Most of us know it's a fun, Bible-learning program for kids. But do you know what AWANA means?

It's an acronym. It means 2 Timothy 2:15! In this verse for today are the words, "Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed." And this statement means that  ...

·       When we first believed and the Holy Spirit came to dwell with us, this was God setting his seal upon us (Approved)

·       ... and when we then minister for the kingdom (Workmen)

·       ... we should minister boldly -- passionate about what the Creator thinks rather than what created human creatures think (Not Ashamed). 

Two scriptures speak to this final point. The first - Romans 1:16 - offers a theological reason for why we can say, "I am not ashamed of the gospel." Why? Because "it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith." Theologically I need to not be fearful or ashamed because here is the only true source of power in the universe! And it is precisely when I act boldly (not ashamed) and when I proclaim Christ's name (as a workman), that I then tap into this power. 


The second passage offers another reason to be a workman who proclaims. The first offered a theological reason (power). The second offers an interpersonal priority: 
Am I now seeking human approval, or God’s approval? ... If I were still pleasing people, I would not be a servant of Christ (Galatians 1:10). 


When we seek to please God and proclaim boldly, we receive power. When we seek to please people (who are ultimately dust), then we receive dust. 


In Christ's Love,

a guy who wants

to rename AWANA;

it should be AWRP --

when those of us who believe and thus

have the seal of the Spirit (Approved)

decide to minister (Workmen who work),

we R.P. (Receive Power)

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