The last Sunday morning I was with you, which seems like a month ago, I brought up a word which I was afraid I was misusing – I wondered if I had the wrong definition. I am not sure I remember the word – that is how much water has flowed under my bridge in the last two weeks. But we discussed the word, and later looked it up in the dictionary which I keep up here. And, yes, my understanding was thoroughly incorrect. That evening, Sister Stewart brought the family “1828 Webster’s Dictionary,” which supplied a completely different definition to what the more modern dictionary gave us. I was so impressed with that dictionary, I said that I had to get one for myself. Two days later I was in my father-in-law’s office, and there on the shelf was that dictionary. I asked the family members in the room at the time if I could have it, and it became mine. Part of the value of this particular dictionary is in illustrating the evolution of words.
Words have a habit of changing – growing or shrinking. For example, we’ve often mentioned the perfectly good word “gay.” When I was a child, it meant “jovial,” “sportive,” “cheerful.” Now I am almost afraid to use the word in that sense, because it will almost surely be misunderstood. But here is something for you experts – According to my new 1828 dictionary “gay” was originally derived from “gaudy” as in “showy” or “flamboyant.” It moved from “gaudy” into “cheerful” and now into a euphemism for “homosexual.” Has that word’s new definition been a natural evolution? Did it perhaps move from its older form into the world of hideous transvestites and then into general homosexuality, or was there a deliberate manipulation of the word?
I ask that question because, Satan has been redefining words from almost the beginning of time. He told our mother, Eve, that Jehovah was keeping her and her husband from becoming “gods.” He did not mean, of course, that they would replace Jehovah or they could compete with the Creator. He was using “irony” – he was saying one thing while meaning another. But Eve didn’t get the joke – or the deception, the duplicity. Satan has been writing his own dictionary since the time of Adam and Eve. He especially enjoys redefining sin. Every year he publishes updated yearbooks and annuals, just to stay ahead of game.
And I think we can illustrate what I am saying with verse 15. “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” The phrase “approved unto God” is easy enough for most people to understand. Coming from the pen of Paul – we know that THIS God is Jehovah. “Approval“ in Greek, as well as in English, means: “acceptance,” “a favorable opinion” and even “praise.” The problem is that there are different kinds of “approval” even by the Lord. Any kind we might think about is worth more than a New York Life insurance policy. But different kinds of approval come in different ways, and not everyone may be approved in each way. Satan, for example, may take this verse and give it to some people saying, “If you rightly divide the Word of God, you are guaranteed a seat at the dinner table of Lord thoughout eternity.” That is a lie, because a simple knowledge of the Bible does not mean a regenerated heart. It is essential that we learn what kinds of approval there are, and how they are received.
The most important thing in any person’s life is the “Approval of God.”
Have you ever been in a situation where one person dominated the room? He controlled the conversation, the mood, who came, who went, everything? You couldn’t get a word in edgewise, even though you had much to contribute. My mother used to speak about her grandmother in just that way. Perhaps it was the boss at a job that you once held. When you entered that situation you came under that person’s sphere of domination. Christ Jesus described Heaven as the House of God. No, there are no security gates with guards and automatic weapons. There will be no Rottweilers or Doberman dogs. There simply is no access apart from Him who is “the way, the truth and the life” – Christ. Without any negative connotation, eternity is the sphere of Lord. It is His, and no one will enter without His approval. No one will speak without His approval, or act without His approval. But that approval will be graciously given. It will be a gift of divine grace. As far as eternity is concerned the approval of no one else but the Father and the Son is important. The approbation of the boss at work is helpful sometimes, but it is nothing in eternity. The smile of the teacher, the blessing of your parents, the nod of the neighbor is nice and comforting. These have their place at times, but in eternity they like old Confederate dollar bills. Not even the approval of the Apostle Paul avails anything in this case.
But who is this God from whom we need approval? As I have said, it is the Jehovah whom we find in pages of this book. So we can’t afford to neglect the Bible which God has so graciously put into our hands. We must search the scriptures for in them lies the key to Christ. What is the character of this God? Well, we know that He is absolutely holy. As far as His home is concerned He said in Revelation 21:27 – “And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” Not so much here, but in the average Canadian home, upon entering, off come the galoshes, mucklucks and rubber boots. Furthermore, off come the penny-loafers, the brogues, the wingtips and the runners. Visitors walk about in slippers or else in their holey sox. But before the Holy God we need more than holey sox. We must be wholly holy. And that is a gift of grace.
Eternity in the home of Jehovah can be approached only with God’s imputed holiness – His righteous. In other words, we who are sinners, must be “approved” of God before entering. And we must be given and put on the slippers of God’s righteousness, yea the rob of His righteousness. Those slippers, and that approval, come only one way: by power of His infinite grace.
Approval with God begins with His grace, NOT by being proper workmen, “rightly dividing the Word of Truth.” Satan’s ploy in this case has been to take this verse out its context. He comes to modern Eves and Adams, whispering, “Work harder, be nicer, study to show thyself approved.” He constantly changes the context to better entice the unlearned and blinded. He says, “Be baptized to shew thyself approved unto God.” He repeats over and over, be generous, be forgiving, be kind, be honest, be moral.
I won’t say that these things aren’t good and important, but they must follow God’s grace not precede it. When Paul wrote these words, he was directing his thoughts to someone who was already a saint. Timothy was a child of God, by grace in Christ Jesus. He had acknowledged his sinful condition and staked his soul upon the merits of the Saviour. He had repented of his sin before God and put his faith upon the blood of Jesus Christ. “Now,” says Paul, “now that you have God’s initial approval, study to show thyself approved unto the Lord in this other area of service.” Except a man strive lawfully, as a good worker, he shall not be crowned. “It is required in stewards that a man be found faithful.”
Please note that approval is in no way natural, assumed or automatic in anybody.
The word “study” is another word which should not be taken in the 21st century sense. Our English word grew out of Latin which in turn was borrowed from the Greeks. Often when the Greeks said “spoudazo” (spoo-dad’-zo) – they meant “haste” – the utmost “speed.” And again, when the Latins said “studeo,” they talking about “zealousness” or “speed.” The teacher in Paul’s day who told his students to “study” was saying, “I want you to be diligent, zealous.” “Be diligent to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
In the context of the Apostle’s instruction to Timothy he was saying – “Do your utmost to approved of God.” He was not limiting his exhortation to some mental exercise. I almost doubt they do it any more, but just a few years ago, high school kids were required to take “competency tests.” They were not so much tests of math skills or the ability to communicate. I’m sure the tests did them no harm, but that kind of test measured “common sense” as much as it did the material found on page 318 of the grade 10 science book. But approval with God does not come naturally or with common sense. If Paul has to tell Timothy that diligence is essential what does it suggest? It says this kind of approval is not natural or even common.
I am fearfully convinced that at the Judgment Seat of Christ, most saints will abashed and disgraced. Those who perform Christian duties often do so because they are Christian duties. They feel coerced into just about everything that they do. Sure some of them tithe, but not out of love for Christ or for evangelism or to support missions. Yes, they sing the repetitious hymns, but it is not with their hearts. Few ever seek new ways to serve the Lord. Few really “study to shew themselves approved unto God.” Few are diligent and zealous to shew themselves approved unto God. Most Christians have less than half a dozen things they regularly do in the service of their Lord. They think that these things will earn the approbation of the Lord. Even though they are done with no zeal, not heart, and no faith – just habit. Please remember, “whatsoever is not of faith is sin” – is your labor in faith? Remember that “unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required.” Remember that they that “sow in tears shall reap in joy.”
This text clearly shows us that this approval is a PERSONAL achievement.
To whom was Paul writing? It was to one of most delightful characters of the New Testament. But Timothy’s position as a preacher of the Word of God, made no difference as far as his approval was concerned. In fact, it meant that more diligence was required of him because his work was special. Timothy could not rely upon his position to guarantee the smile of the Lord. That his mother and grandmother helped to nurture him in the things of God meant nothing in this. Timothy was a personal student of the Apostle to the Gentiles, but that held no water before Lord. He was even acting as an Apostolic Ambassador when this letter was received. This particular approval before God rested entirely on what he personally added to the equation.
And so does mine – and yours. God knows that sometimes we can’t do everything we’d like to do for God. Maybe some lady wishes she could get up onto a pulpit and preach a gospel message to thousands. Perhaps a child desires to serve the Lord in a way which his backslidden parents won’t allow. I’ve known many ladies who wanted to tithe or do other things, but their husbands refused. The Lord knows these cases better I do, and He will approve that person accordingly. The widow with her two mites earned the approval of Christ as if she gave a thousand. That lady did what she could; she diligently tried to shew herself approved unto God. Your approval will come only upon the condition of your own heart. No one else’s approval will have any effect upon yours.
But upon what is this approval based?
It all depends on the kind of approval of which we are speaking. The most important kind, the variety that divides between Heaven and Hell – comes on merits of Christ. One of my favorite scriptures reads – “Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.” How is my soul going to be approved by a holy God, who is filled with wrath over sin? There can be only one way, when Jesus puts his arm around me and says, “Father, here is that sinner who I died to redeem.” I have no other plea, but the blood that Jesus shed for me – my redemption. Colossians 1:21 and 22 describe me in my past, my present and my future. “And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled. In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight.” Upon Whom is my approval before God based? Upon my substitute at Calvary – the Lord Jesus Christ.
But that is not what Paul is talking about when he wrote to his son in the ministry. This particular approval is based upon diligent, zealous service of God. That is approval that leads unto reward – not for the salvation of his soul. Please, please, please keep those two things separated in your mind. Both are very important, but the second can’t compare with the first. It is far better to be found in heaven, saved by the skin of your teeth and saved yet so as by fire, than to be eternally lost. But better yet, to be approved of God by the blood of Jesus Christ for eternal life and by your service for the glory of the Lord.
What are the glorious effects of these approval?
Let it suffice to say that the slightest smile from our Father is infinitely superior to the greatest honor that any man, any company, any government, any Hell has to offer.
Do you have the approval of God?