Thoughts in Worship

Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Monday, June 25, 2018

Audio Link: https://www.spreaker.com/user/reachmanyradio/thoughts-in-worship-06-25-2018

This is devotional thought number 70 in our devotional series titled, “The Gospel According to Paul.”

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

It is incredible how few people believe in the Bible. Some who purport to understand the Scriptures just cherry pick the parts that suit their fancy. It’s unfortunate, because, if taken in its fullness, the Word of truth becomes a pathway to everlasting life. The Bible says, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:13–17). Does it make sense now, why studying the Scriptures is vital?

I would like to direct your attention to the beginning part of our theme text, where we can infer that we can, and must, study the Word of truth for ourselves. Why would I take up on that point? Well, for centuries, in history, studying for ourselves was shunned by the dominant church in Europe. They taught that the Scriptures were only to be understood and interpreted according to the church hierarchy’s interpretations. In fact, it wasn’t until the Protestant Reformation era, that ordinary people could read the text in their native tongues. The truth was locked up by dogma, hierarchy, private interpretations, physical access, and the Latin language; the exact opposite of what the Scriptures taught.

I am so glad that God has supplied the power of the Holy Spirit to reveal this beautiful Word of truth to all who are willing to do God’s will. I am glad that it has been translated and distributed into hundreds of languages in text and audio formats. The Word of God reveals His love and the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ, which is the power of God unto salvation for all who believe. It exposes the devil's deceptions and hatred for us. It provides hope for those bound by pride, lust, addictions, hate, racist thoughts, violence, and every other inherited and cultivated tendency toward evil. The Word of truth gives us hope and prepares us for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, which begins the countdown to the final destruction of all sin, evil, sickness, death, pain, sorrow, crying, and poverty. The Word of truth must be rightly understood and applied to our lives so we can stand firm and confident in any situation life throws at us until Jesus comes.

I’m not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, are you?—L. David Harris (www.LDavidHarris.com)