A Workman Approved by God
SCRIPTURE: 2 Timothy 2:14-26 
Read the passage
BIO: My name is Paula Lindrum and I am tickled to be serving as a volunteer for the The Well, David Swanson’s media ministry. I’m a native Floridian, raised and eductated in Orlando including a degree from Rollins College. Both of my sons are married and have blessed me with delightful daughters-in-law and grandchildren. I spend as much time as possible with them.
KEY VERSE: 2 Timothy 2:15 "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth."
CENTRAL TRUTH: Believers are called to do the best they can to plainly communicate the Truth.
DEVOTIONAL: A Workman Approved by God
As I read Timothy’s letter from Paul, I love the clear instruction for how to be the best we can be for God – and, then, at the end of this passage I am reassured that we may be used by God to instruct people, but He actually "leads them to a knowledge of the truth."
What are Paul’s instructions?
First, in verses 14-18, Paul tells Timothy to avoid nitpicking, quarrelsome arguments with misguided teachers. In The Message, v14 is interpreted as, "…Warn them before God against pious nitpicking, which chips away at the faith. It just wears everyone out." And, Paul includes a warning here that false teaching spreads like gangrene!!
Second, in verses 19-21, Paul uses a metaphor – a house (a kitchen in The Message) that has good, valuable things and cheap, worthless things. He admonishes Timothy to be cleansed of the bad stuff in order to be better prepared to be used by God.
Third, in verses 22-26, Paul has several instructions: run away from immature desires, and instead pursue mature righteousness, faith, love and peace. And stop quarreling. Instead, be kind and patient as you gently instruct those who are disobedient to God.
What’s the ultimate goal of Paul’s instruction?
"So that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil who has taken them captive to do his will." (verse 26)
QUESTION 1: (from verse 19) Does the Lord know you are His? Inwardly, in your heart, have you decided to belong to Jesus, trust Him for your salvation and live for Him? If not, why not?
QUESTION 2: (from verse 21) Do you turn away from those things that should be purged from your life so that you may be more useful to the Master?
QUESTION 3: (from verses 22-25) Do you pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, avoid arguments, and gently instruct others?