Mike’s Musings ….

Studying To Show YOURSELF Approved

   We frequently muse on the importance of 2 Timothy 2:15 and kindred passages requiring our diligence in reading, studying, learning, and obeying God’s word. Associated passages like Romans 10:17; Colossians 3:16; 2 Corinthians 5:7; 1 Peter 3:15; John 12:48; Hebrews 11:1; Hebrews 11:6 comprise a minimal list of inspired statements requiring our adherence to God and His word and the necessity to have it thriving in us. Still, countless numbers ignore these inspired directives, and many more foolishly wrestle God’s truth to their own destruction (2 Peter 3:16) as they attempt to “justify the unjustifiable.”

   Let’s ask this question: Whom are you trying to please with your study – yourself, some other Christian, some other person who is NOT a Christian or God? When you examine 2 Timothy 2:15, three of those four suggestions are immediately eliminated! Nonetheless, is it not the case that many endeavor to study only enough to appease their own conscience, others enough to impress some other Christian, and still others to refute some soul that is not a Christian but perhaps thinks they are? Some will endeavor to defend such limitations of study saying, “But that’s the best I can do!” No, friend, it is not! God never issued a commandment we are unable to obey. When it comes to being approved in our study of His word, there is only ONE being we are authorized to please – HIM! If we fail in that endeavor, we fail – period!

   Paul said that if he sought please men, he could not be the servant of Christ (Galatians 1:10). To the brethren of Thessalonica Paul wrote, “Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.” (1 Thessalonians 4:1) I muse on the necessity of pleasing God rather than man! There are too many with “itching ears” and too few who simply wish to please God! Did you ever consider it might be easier to please God than it is to please men? Oh, I grant that study is hard (Ecclesiastes 12:12). But since mankind is seldom satisfied, and constantly changing his mind and desires and ideals, thankfully to please God with my study, I have but to read, study, learn, and obey His unchanging word (Matthew 24:35). So, Whom are you pleasing with your study?