Focus On What God Has Actually Said

In John 14:21, Jesus said, “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.”  If we truly love the Lord, we will take the time to find out what he wants and then do it, and when we are obedient to him, he can demonstrate his love for us freely. 

Understanding this, in II Timothy 2:15, Paul instructed Timothy, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”  Jesus commanded, “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me,” in John 5:39.  If we wish to please God, we need to spend the time studying the scriptures, because they tell us who the Lord is and what he wants.  If we take the time to study the scriptures diligently, we will know exactly what God expects from us, 

In II Timothy 3:16-17, Paul tells us, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”  When we study and follow the scriptures carefully, they will impart all the information we need in order to please God completely.  However, this requires in depth study, not just a superficial reading of the scriptures.

 Because it is so easy for us to misinterpret a passage, II Peter 1:20-21 warns, “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”  God used numerous different writers to give his word to us, but he directed their thoughts.  When we study the scriptures, if we find contradictions or paradoxes, between different passages, it indicates we have not yet obtained an accurate understanding of what God was saying.  No doctrine can be based on a single verse or passage. 

In our studying, we need to be careful not to get caught up in what others tell us about God, or we may well find ourselves doing what God has forbidden, as II Timothy 2:16-18 warns.  “But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.  And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.”   Distortions of the truth lead to disobedience and false teachings. 

Fortunately, God’s salvation is sure, with God knowing who is truly his.  Every one who is a truly a Christian should put known sin out of their lives.  Unfortunately, not everyone is equally devoted to God, as II Timothy 2:19-20 points out.  “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.  But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.   

If we want God’s blessings, we need to make the effort to put away the hings God has forbidden and avoid temptation, focusing on the new nature the Holy Spirit produces, as II Timothy 2:22-26 describes.  “If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.  Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.  But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.  And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.”

If we are to please God, we need to avoid getting caught up in the various religious controversies, but to stay focused on what God has said.  By doing so, there is the possibility we may draw others to the truth, but if we get caught up in the controversies we will only turn them further from the truth.  II Thessalonians 3:14-15 commands, “And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.  Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.”  We are not to go along with their false teachings or sin, but neither are we to drive them farther away.  We are to leave open the possibility of reconciliation.