Struggling through the Scriptures

Pastor David has tasked us with answering the question, “Why spend time struggling through the Scriptures, especially the difficult passages?”

As I thought through this, I didn't want to come to you with my opinion or my thoughts, but with the Word of God.

Therefore, I am going to let the apostle Paul answer the question for us. He provided Timothy with a charge that I believe is relevant for us and answers the question we are considering.

Paul writes to Timothy,

2 Timothy 2:14-

2 Timothy 2:14–19 ESV

Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some. But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.”

Do you hear the thrust of Paul’s charge to Timothy?

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker, who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

Who is the them in verse 14? These are the faithful men that were to be entrusted with the things Paul had taught Timothy. Men who could teach, women who could teach other women and their children are to be entrusted with the truths of the Scripture even the hard ones!

You may say I am not a teacher, I would argue yes, you are. You may not stand in the pulpit, you may not lead a SS class, but you probably have children, grandchildren, or can stand in the gap to teach children who lack a disciple maker in their life. Now I don’t have a lot of time this morning but if you would like to discuss the who should work to rightly handle the Word we can catch up later.

In effort to maintain efficiency, let’s consider why we should work to rightly handle the Word. Paul gives Timothy at least 7 reasons why all of us should present ourselves as an approved worker.

To stop sensational quarreling about words. Notice what Paul writes in verse 14, Paul writes, not to quarrel about words, which does not good but only....what, ruins the hearers. Don’t get me wrong there are doctrines worth fighting for, but what Paul is talking about is creating senseless divisions overs the minute details that truth be known there is a chance both sides could be wrong.

To show yourself approved. One of the reasons we struggle in the Scriptures is to show that we are one of God’s children. We are faithful workers, those being taught His Scriptures, by His Spirit.

To save yourself from shame. Those who handle the Scriptures rightly avoid the shame of falling into false doctrine.

To steer clear of irreverent babble. Working in the Scriptures keeps us from unwholesome talk that will lead people into ungodliness.

To spread sound doctrine not disease. This ungodly talk will spread like gangrene. Instead we should work to understand the hard Scriptures that people twist into heretical doctrines.

To stay fixed on the Truth. To avoid swerving from the Truth. We understand difficult passages in light of the clear passages to keep from driving off into error.

To sanctify the body of Christ. Paul closes this paragraph with this charge, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.” It is a lot harder to stay content in our sin if we are working in the Scriptures. Our struggling through the Scriptures will continue to sanctify us and others.

John Paton wrote, “Oh, what could not the Church accomplish if the educated and gifted Elders and others in Christian lands would set themselves thus to work for Jesus, to teach the ignorant, to protect the tempted, and to rescue the fallen!”