When We Are Approved By God

Study: # 655 –Church in the Houses From: October 12 – 18, 2010

TOPIC: "When We Are Approved By God" 2 Timothy 2:15 It is easy for some Christians to be running behind the "great theologies", of the modern wonders of the preachers of nowadays, especially those on television. Those who listen remain absorbed in their comfortable seats in matters that are not of supreme importance for their souls. We must understand that life is too brief and that those who want to do God’s will are much occupied in the serious matters of the kingdom of God. We are not willing to waste the mind and the heart in matters that are not going to help form our character. Your person is what is important; you should care for yourself and the doctrine. Don’t waste your time in silly things. I remain admired when I see that your character is being formed by the sermons of the television. They don’t care about anyone or anything; they only care about the budget, the money and they do not give their lives for anyone. The doctrinal bypasses want us to stop when there is a world that is waiting for us. Let us be faithful to the great truths of the Word of God; let us not exchange it for what anyone may say because we must present ourselves to the Lord and find ourselves approved. We have to be careful when we speak the Word of God, because instead of edifying the saints in the truth of the Word of God, we can fall in mere nonsense and then what we would do would be to mine the faith of those who listen. That is why Paul stressed repeatedly to his disciple in 2 Timothy 2:16 "But avoid profane and vain nonsense words, because they will conduct more and more to the impiety." Let us be simple in the great teachings of the Word of God. It is not our word; it is the Word of Christ. Some speak with a great deal of words, in such a way that you remain with your mouth open; and what they speak seems somewhat great and however you do not understand. Careful! What is Paul warning Timothy about? 2 Timothy 2:17, 18 "And their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have wandered away from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some." Timothy should have diligence to present himself before God approved. That is the detail; to be approved by God. It is not a matter of knowing so many words to impress, it is not using the Word of God to benefit ourselves but rather we use it and we teach it to build the faith of those who listen. Timothy was responsible for doing it right; the Word he taught had to reach the heart of the brothers faithfully. Timothy had to make an effort to be a laborer who had nothing to be ashamed of. Here in this world we can speak, say and teach what we believe, but let us not forget that we are referring to the Word of the Lord. You can grab anyone and tell them what you believe at your convenience, but remember, if with this you will be approved or disapproved before God. What says if we are approved or not is that we use well the Word of truth. Many times it is spoken for one’s benefit and not to honor the truth of the Word. We have known a truth thru the Word, and these are God’s thoughts. It is what God wants; I cannot accommodate or improve it so that it will go well for all. It is to treat the word with righteousness in a complete way and without adulterations. If Timothy achieved this he was looking to be approved by God. Jesus complied with and pleased the Father in every way. In Matthew 3:17 we can see the Father’s approval referring to Jesus. He was pleased with Jesus; it is a sign of approval. Jesus did not do what He wanted but what the Father had entrusted Him for our lives. Jesus said: "If it was your will, Father, to pass up this cup, but may it be your will”. Everything Jesus did for the Father was pleasing. Mathew 26:39 "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” In this great trial He needed to be approved. John 8:29 Jesus did not remain alone. He said: "I do always what pleases the Father". Jesus did the things that pleased the Father. In many occasions we feel impassionate to please our fellowmen. We have to really surrender to the Lord in order to be true disciples, to be approved by God. If we remain in His Word, in the teachings of Christ, no one will move us. We are saved and we remain in His Word to be approved. 1 Tessalonians 2:4 Who do you please? What is it that really interests us? To be approved by God or by men? Paul knew his responsibility and that was to please God by means of the faithful proclamation of the gospel. The gospel was entrusted to us also, God approved of us. Paul says to Timothy: "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, as a workman who does not need to be ashamed.” God tests our hearts. We examine ourselves to see what there is. We have to present ourselves to God and since He is the only one who knows what is in our hearts, only He will know if we are approved. Our duty is to do what He tells us. He is the one who gives us our payment, then let us please him. Perhaps the preacher may feel tempted to retain part of the truth by fear of the repercussion of those who give their support (tithe), but God is the Master and the one who tests us. Therefore, if I eradicate the Word, He will take that into consideration and I will face the consequences of not being approved when my heart is tested. So I will not fail, I will be completely faithful to His Word, with diligence I will seek to be approved by God. Amen.