Study to Show Yourself Approved
Part of the Will of God is to study the Bible (2 Tim. 2:15). Many who study the Bible, study for information rather than correction. Disciples of Jesus Christ are admonished not to be foolish, but understand what the Will of God is (Eph. 5:17). It appears that people who claim to be His disciples today are least informed about this aspect of spiritual and godly living (Col. 1:9).
God’s word says that all Scripture is profitable for teaching, reproof, correction and training in how to practice righteousness, so that the man of God may know how to do good to please God (1 John 2:29; Matt. 5:16; 2 Tim. 3:16-17). How many people have studied the life of Christ for many years, but have never started to live like Him?
We are to imitate Jesus Christ and the Father by daily practicing the sayings of Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 11:1; Eph. 5:1; 3 John 11). Jesus’ words will judge all humanity at the end of the age (John 12:47-48). Just being a Bible scholar does not justify a person, but being a doer of the word does (2 Tim. 3:7; Rom. 2:13; James 1:22; Luke 6:46). Jesus Christ made Himself perfectly clear about practicing righteousness. We are to perform the Father’s Will in our daily lives, as it is done in heaven (1 John 2:17; John 7:17; Matt. 6:10). Jesus says to do as He says, keep His word, walk in His commandments and act upon His sayings (Luke 8:21; 11:28; 6:47-48; 2 John 6; Matt. 7:24).
The central teaching of the Bible is to engage in a life of good deeds, endure and not become weary in well-doing, and overcome our evil natures by doing good deeds (Titus 3:8; 2 Thess. 3:13; Heb. 10:36; Gal. 6:9; Rom. 2:7; 12:21; 6:18-19). If this is the kind of peculiar people Christ is making for Himself—and He is—we should then be studying the Bible to train ourselves in righteousness (Titus 2:14). As we keep the sayings of Jesus Christ and study to show ourselves approved to God, we will always be ready with the right answer, and ready to lead many to righteousness (Matt. 5:19; 1 Peter 3:15; Dan. 12:3).