Divine Approval 
Joe Slater
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.             --2 Timothy 2:15
	As a child and even into manhood, the approval of my parents meant a great deal to me. How much more should God’s children strive for His approval! Paul says to be diligent in this quest. That is the meaning of “study” in the older versions. It has little to do with “study” in the sense of academic learning. Rather, it urges us to seek God’s approval urgently. It is the direct opposite of ho-hum, indifferent, half-hearted procrastination.
	Timothy, a preacher of the gospel, faced the same trials preachers encounter today, not the least of which is the temptation to court the approval of people rather than that of God. Don’t rock the boat! Stay away from thorny issues! Keep everybody happy! So says the world. But Paul instructed him: “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching” (2 Timothy 4:2). Preaching “out of season” may not meet with most people’s approval; but God appreciates it.
	Preacher or not, every Christian ought to seek God’s approval diligently. We are workers in His vineyard. Let us so labor that we do not need to be ashamed. How dare we offer less than our best to the Lord?
	Significantly, Paul cautions Timothy (and us) to “rightly divide” the word of truth. That has nothing to do with dividing the Old Testament from the New, nor did Paul have in mind the Patriarchal, Mosaic, and Christian ages here. Strong’s Dictionary correctly defines “rightly dividing” as meaning “to cut straight” or “handle aright.” The idea is, don’t veer off course. When a farmer plows a field, he seeks to make a straight furrow. The clerk at the fabric store seeks to cut the material in a straight line. Likewise, we are to hold a straight course with God’s word.
	Much of what passes for preaching and teaching today is utterly shameful. It is a hodge-podge of philosophy, psychology, sentimental sob-stories, and just enough Scripture to make it sound somewhat spiritual. Those craving the favor of their carnally-minded audiences use it quite effectively. If we wish to enjoy God’s approval, however, we must go “straight down the line” with the Bible, deviating neither to the right nor to the left.
	Approval from other people is pleasant; but God’s approval is essential. Let us seek it diligently!
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Only Forward
	The Australian coat of arms pictures two creatures: the emu (a flightless bird) and the kangaroo. These animals were chosen because they share a characteristic that appealed to the Australian citizens. Both the emu and the kangaroo can move only forward, not back. The emu’s three-toed foot causes it to fall if it tries to go backward; and the kangaroo is prevented from moving in reverse by its large tail.
	Those who truly choose to follow Jesus become like the emu and kangaroo, moving only forward, and never back (Luke 9:62; Philippians 3:13-14; 2 Timothy 4:10)
	--via Jacksonville, AL
The Seriousness of Sin
	I read of a family picnicking one summer near a watermelon patch. When one of the boys stole a melon, his mother said, “Don’t you dare get another one – you don’t know what they’ve been sprayed with!”
	Breaking  the law of God is regarded as a light thing these days. The world sees sin as a big joke, and church members excuse and tolerate sin as something of little consequence or importance.
	Perhaps it is the fault of the preacher that sin is regarded so lightly. We are afraid to condemn sin because we might hurt someone’s feelings. How would you feel the next time you visit the dentist if he looked into your mouth and said, “You have a bad tooth back there, but you have many other good teeth, and I don’t want to make you uncomfortable, so let’s leave all of them alone”? You wouldn’t want a dentist to act like that – yet we want preachers to deal with sin in the church without creating a disturbance. Kind reader, this is not possible!
	Something is indeed serious that separates a person from God and causes that eternal soul to be lost in Hell. The thing that caused the awful agony and death on the cross cannot be taken lightly. The child of God cannot relax regarding sin. He dares not hobnob with the devil or play politics with the ungodly.
	The nominal Christian may crack jokes with the unrighteous and conform to the ways of the world – but the real Christian is ever vigilant against the evil one. When we sin, we ought to be upset. Remember, it was because of your sin and mine that our blessed Lord suffered and died. Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift!
	--Bobby Key (Miami, OK; via Old Paths)