Bravo Ben, bravo. Certainly Jesus is the Word. Meaning we could look at this a couple of ways. Studying the Scriptures as students..or our growing personal relationship with Jesus. Good perspective.
yeah – i’m not sure close inspection of the text would allow for Studying the Bible as the true meaning – Not in the way we think of it anyway. It’s probably better read – Be a diligent workman handling the Word of God faithfully.
My take is that Paul was not pushing men and women into their libraries, but into the streets to preach what they had received in their discipleship.
This is where I get off on a bit of a semantical tirade (although not that harsh) when we’re told that God approves of us unconditionally. No, He accepts us unconditionally when we come to Him through Jesus, His acceptance cannot be earned; however, His approval is a different story. That takes work, and time, and sacrifice. He’s the Coach, and he may need to bench me until I’m ready for the game. At least, that’s how I see it. Trust is earned.
That was a tirade? Nah. You are too nice for a real tirade. I actually get what you are saying very precisely. Some would argue about semantics but you captured something. Justification versus sanctification. Justification at the moment of salvation, and sanctification as a lifelong process. Well said. Thank you.
Another approach to the same verse is that “rightly dividing” God’s Word means separating the commands of God from the promises of God. Some read only commands and skip the promises. Others try to ignore the commands and look only at the promises. Worst of all, some try to link the commands and promises in ways that turn us into our own saviors. God created us to do good works. God rescues us from sin and evil and death because he loves us. We can neither earn nor repay that love and that salvation. J.
June 30, 2016 at 13:56
….we aren’t growing!
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June 30, 2016 at 14:12
Excellent!!!!
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June 30, 2016 at 15:42
God’s Word – The Word of Truth – that would be Jesus, right? Do we know Him better today than yesterday?
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June 30, 2016 at 15:50
Bravo Ben, bravo. Certainly Jesus is the Word. Meaning we could look at this a couple of ways. Studying the Scriptures as students..or our growing personal relationship with Jesus. Good perspective.
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June 30, 2016 at 16:27
yeah – i’m not sure close inspection of the text would allow for Studying the Bible as the true meaning – Not in the way we think of it anyway. It’s probably better read – Be a diligent workman handling the Word of God faithfully.
My take is that Paul was not pushing men and women into their libraries, but into the streets to preach what they had received in their discipleship.
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June 30, 2016 at 16:32
I have heard it interpreted that way. The case is good for that. It’s that rightly dividing line huh?
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June 30, 2016 at 15:45
This is where I get off on a bit of a semantical tirade (although not that harsh) when we’re told that God approves of us unconditionally. No, He accepts us unconditionally when we come to Him through Jesus, His acceptance cannot be earned; however, His approval is a different story. That takes work, and time, and sacrifice. He’s the Coach, and he may need to bench me until I’m ready for the game. At least, that’s how I see it. Trust is earned.
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June 30, 2016 at 15:53
That was a tirade? Nah. You are too nice for a real tirade. I actually get what you are saying very precisely. Some would argue about semantics but you captured something. Justification versus sanctification. Justification at the moment of salvation, and sanctification as a lifelong process. Well said. Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
June 30, 2016 at 16:42
Another approach to the same verse is that “rightly dividing” God’s Word means separating the commands of God from the promises of God. Some read only commands and skip the promises. Others try to ignore the commands and look only at the promises. Worst of all, some try to link the commands and promises in ways that turn us into our own saviors. God created us to do good works. God rescues us from sin and evil and death because he loves us. We can neither earn nor repay that love and that salvation. J.
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June 30, 2016 at 16:48
Now, that thought I had not heard. All of those things are absolutely true, though. We are determined to save ourselves it seems. Thanks J
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