Unashamed

As a culture today, we have very little were are ashamed to say and do. Don't believe me? Just scroll through your Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram feeds. You will find embarrassing photos, off-color jokes, family secrets and squabbles available for all to see, and descriptions of every little thing we do and think.

We, as a culture, has very little shame. So when we read Paul's words to Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:15, we have a hard time wrapping our minds around being a workman is who not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus. In this passage, Paul is writing to Timothy about false teachers present in the church. He is warning Timothy to be diligent in his study and teaching of the Bible so he won't be ashamed of the job he has done.

If his teaching is accurate, the Bible will speak for itself. He won't need to argue against the false teachers. He won't need to convince anyone. The Bible will do it for him.

In 2018, that's a novel concept. We routinely get into social media arguments where each side is simply screaming at the other. No one is having their mind changed. No one is seeking understanding of the other side. Instead, they are just yelling at one another.

That's exactly what Paul warns Timothy against. In 2 Timothy 2:14, he tells his spiritual son that it is useless to argue with their words. He's saying, your arguments will be fruitless. Instead, be diligent in your study and teaching of the Word. Then, let the Bible do the arguing for you.

The Bible is our greatest defense of God and his teachings. God doesn't need us to argue for him. He does a pretty convincing job in the Bible. Our job is to correctly interpret the teachings to reflect his intent with publishing them.

So, as Paul says, be diligent to teach the Bible. Do your homework. Read. Study. Pray. Really examine the Bible. Then accurately teach what it says. Then, you will not be ashamed of what you said or taught. You will know you did the best you could.