Hard Work

Here is an amazing thing. Most Christians do not know Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, the original languages of the Bible. Most Christians are not familiar with the customs and cultures of Bible times. Most Christians are not real acquainted with the historical setting of the biblical record. Most Christians do not have a degree in Bible or theology.

All of these things are true and yet Christians claim to be a people committed to the Bible. How can this be? How can they overcome such deficiencies and rightly represent the Scriptures they claim to believe? There is only one way - hard work. The first word in 2 Timothy 2:15 is translated "be diligent" or "make every effort" or "study." This speaks of the hard work necessary to cut it straight. To overcome the language gap, the culture gap, and the historical gap, Christians must apply hard work. They must be willing to make the effort. Fortunately there are many excellent resources available today but the individual Christian still must put in the effort. We are to be "workmen" who handle accurately the pure word of God.

Many Christians casually read their Bibles, listen to some sermons, perhaps read a book or two, and think that they can now speak with some authority. Worse, they think that they can judge others and be critical of what they teach. The reality is that there is an awful lot of ignorance in the Christian community. People aren't doing the hard work and they are blown about by every wind of doctrine and all of the latest fads that come along.

Our Lord made this lament through the prophet Hosea, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge" (Hosea 4:6). This lack of knowledge is inexcusable. The resources are there. The time is there. O, you may have to turn off the TV for a while or say no to some social event or put aside the pursuit of some personal pleasure or hobby, but the time is there. The only question is will you put in the hard work?

Do you have a hunger for the truth? Do you want the joy that comes from walking in the truth? Do you want to influence others for eternity? Then put aside the other stuff and sit down with your Bible and study. You won't ever regret it.

Test: This is a test to see if I can update an entry and not lose the comments.