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, NKJV
In case you've noticed (and even if you haven't), sometimes I will double-post the verse of the day when sharing devotionals. I don't mean to harp on this too much, because it's a smaller point of lesser importance compared with other things I regularly harp on. Over the years, I've read different translations of the Bible and have often found myself caught between two tension points: 1.) I want to read the Bible in its most authentic, truthful, and accurate text translation, and 2.) I want it to be easy enough to read and to understand! For the reason of the former, I pretty much ignore the Message, because it waters down Scripture way too much (and sometimes renders passages inaccurate). For the reason of the latter, I rarely will read let alone share a verse from the King James Version, because it often has archaic words in which the definition has changed from 16th-century English (not to mention spellings of various words as well!).
As such, I've landed on the New King James Version. It still contains the same authenticity, truthfulness, and accuracy as the King James Version, but it uses modern language to convey said things. Again, to each their own - some folks are actually able to read the King James Version without getting too tripped up, and others find the New Living Translation and New International Version, to name a couple, to be sufficient. What I would exhort is to be sure that whatever version it is that you are reading, that you ensure that the translation is trustworthy.
OK, enough of that. I'll share more reflections after the devotional, but for now, I want us to recenter. I think today's devotional is a great follow-up to yesterday's. Yesterday was about resetting and starting over - the fear (reverential awe and respect) of the Lord being the beginning of wisdom. Today is about intentionally becoming like Christ.
Becoming Like Christ
2 Timothy 2:15 NIV says, "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."
As Christians, we are invited every day to become more like Christ. We want to have the same mind and attitude that He had, to become more like Him every day. In a world that’s constantly living in opposition to God’s design, we want to do our best to present ourselves to God as approved— workers who have no need to be ashamed.
Maybe you haven’t always lived life with Christ. Maybe there are things in your past you’re ashamed of. That’s okay. You're not alone.
In this letter, Paul tells Timothy not to be ashamed of his past, but instead to let his past be a testament to how Jesus has changed his life. When we receive Jesus, we are made new and given a fresh start. Your past is part of your story, a way that you can show others how Jesus changed your life.
The best way that we can continue to be transformed by Jesus is to continually seek His truth in Scripture. As we engage with Scripture and the Holy Spirit, our minds and hearts are changed to be more like Christ.
How can you be more like Christ today? Think of a few small steps you can take to begin to shift your thinking and actions towards the mission of God or the character of Christ. Ask God for His help as you seek to follow Him daily.
Note after sharing the devotional: just like yesterday's devotional, today's also arrived a few days after Christmas but seems more apropos for a starting place to cultivate new habits and a new effort to try again. As such, it arrives on the blog on the 2nd day of the new year. Salvation is paramount; that said, what also matters is doing what God tells us to do.
21 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. 22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does. James 1:21-25, NKJV
I believe I am trying to move past just being satisfied with salvation. I have to confess: it is very hard to do so. The cost is high. The standard is high, too. Holiness and righteousness, which we cannot attain on our own, requires receiving that which is Jesus's, but then also still living up to that standard (on His power, upon receiving it). I cannot begin to tell you how many times I've repented and then un-repented a short while later, only to begin the cycle all over again. And again. And again. And... well, you get the idea.
The point is, God also has work for us to do. Those of us who have received His salvation via Jesus's blood sacrifice on the cross in atonement for our sins, we're here on earth on assignment.
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8, NKJV
However, for those who may struggle with what that may be, I have these things to offer:
1. The Great Commission
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. Matthew 28:18-20, NKJV
2. Holiness and Set Apart-ness
but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:15-16, NKJV
But know that the Lord has set apart for Himself him who is godly; The Lord will hear when I call to Him. Psalm 4:3, NKJV
As such:
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, NKJV
Devotional Prayer: God, thank You for new life in You. Help me become more like Jesus. Use my story to show others Your grace and love. Shape my character, my mind, and my attitude to reflect Yours. In Jesus's name, Amen.