Prior Book | Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
NASB | 2 Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 2 Timothy 2:15 Study and do your best to present yourself to God approved, a workman [tested by trial] who has no reason to be ashamed, accurately handling and skillfully teaching the word of truth. |
Subject: Peace...? |
Bible Note: Hi Justme, Thank you for your response, it was respectful and kind indeed. Thank you for your blessing as well! I also think there are differences between your theology and mine... But as a 16-year-old I am really no-one to argue with someone as knowledgeable as you about such issues. I was so concerned with this issue since it is something very close to me. I have updated my personal profile, have a look if you are interested in knowing where I come from etc. For many years I myself felt invited by the Lord to get closer to Him, to live for/in/by/with Him. It's been a great struggle for me to discern if indeed it was His calling... I actually believe the question is not whether we are called but what we are called to do: "to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it." (Eph 4:7) In other words, God does not call the equipped, but equips the called. (Hebrews 13:20-21) According to my theology, being called and ordained by God does not require anything; being a 'minister' and legally ordained does require study and the approval of the church. I am young but my belief that I am called comes from many hundreds of hours of prayer, service and study, by now I know it is definitely not a temporary feeling or mere interest! Many Christians I have met from different denominations confirmed this... Thanks to a few supportive friends of mine, now I am learning Hebrew and Greek, systematic theology, counselling, missions theory, practical theology and church history. I am not yet qualified for earning a degree in theology,however, because as I said, I am only 16 and I have one more year of high school before I graduate. Although it is against the will of most people who have 'authority' over me, I will go through all that is needed to be properly 'ordained', for it is neither God's will nor mine to try to do it in any 'easy way'. I will pray, wait and study: right now I am too young and know little. But I am convinced of the calling and I know that I am already 'ordained' by God, who -I believe- possesses all authority to so 'ordain' anyone of His choice at any age. I have hope, faith and trust that the Holy Spirit is leading me; for the rest, "I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me." 1Cor 4:3-4 You wrote I was 'standing behind' and 'defending' ourfathersheart - but please have a look at my first response to him: I did not approve of him ordaining or giving degrees to others either; I actually said he had no authority to do so. I also suggested learning as a solution to his problem. (See the supporting passage I chose, and 2Tim 3:16-18) Could you please specify what 'serious errors' I approved of? Nevertheless I believe any Christian can intercede for others and to bless them, it cannot be against God's will. This person claimed to love the Lord, and I do not believe it is anyone else's job to decide if he was honest or not. What is our job is rather to help him into seeing what is good in God's sight and what is not... We are allowed to tell him that it is not biblical to ordain or give degrees to anyone without being authorized; we are allowed to warn against sin, pride or bigotry, and to make him understand the meaning of being called; but I do not think we can question the existence of a calling for a person who says 'I live only for Him'. Yes, maybe he is lying; but even so, it is not our job to execute judgment. Maybe I am wrong, but I believe certain gifts of the Holy Spirit are necessary for ministry; those who do not have them fail and get weary of it very quickly. My sincere belief is that only fulfilling our calling will please God and satisfy our soul; trying to do things which we are not called to do, or refusing to do things which we are called to do, may give a feeling of temporary pleasure, but in the long run, will make us dissatisfied with ourselves and with the world. Only when we are following our calling can we say: "I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your Law is within my heart." Psalm 40:8 Jesus said we would know the false prophets by their fruit (Mt 7:15-20); but false doctrines "promote controversies rather than God's work" (1Tim 1:4). Jesus clearly stated, though: "whoever is not against us is for us." (Mk 9:40) I also believe that whatever position we take up in church, we should remain servants of Christ, and not try to become lords of men. "For he who is least among [us] all – he is the greatest" Luke 9:48. Of course you do not have to agree with me. If you are interested, I can tell you more about my theology, and we can discuss our beliefs on different issues. I will post my views about 'lone rangers' in another thread. God bless you, and thanks again for your reply, Zsuzsi |