Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth
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Limits of Human Wisdom ECC 7
15I have seen everything during my lifetime of futility; there is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness and there is a wicked man who prolongs his life in his wickedness. 16Do not be excessively righteous and do not be overly wise. Why should you ruin yourself?17Do not be excessively wicked and do not be a fool. Why should you die before your time?
Sometimes when I read these threads, where it seems all people have to do, is read the bible because they have no life. - now that is good
but heaping up strange idiosyncratic things, instead of actually pursing after righteousness - that means deeds, not just study to make yourself some bible head that is useless, then harshly judge everyone else who doesn't hold to how you exactly think about it, or how you spent hundreds of hours studying, but won't spend an hour with other's around you who are hemorrhaging in pain.
I say this to my own shame at times, thinking that study is the end of all things
15I have seen everything during my lifetime of futility; there is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness and there is a wicked man who prolongs his life in his wickedness. 16Do not be excessively righteous and do not be overly wise. Why should you ruin yourself?17Do not be excessively wicked and do not be a fool. Why should you die before your time?
Sometimes when I read these threads, where it seems all people have to do, is read the bible because they have no life. - now that is good
but heaping up strange idiosyncratic things, instead of actually pursing after righteousness - that means deeds, not just study to make yourself some bible head that is useless, then harshly judge everyone else who doesn't hold to how you exactly think about it, or how you spent hundreds of hours studying, but won't spend an hour with other's around you who are hemorrhaging in pain.
I say this to my own shame at times, thinking that study is the end of all things
Atheists can be humanitarians but that does not mean they are saved. God wants us to be armed with the Word of God. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood. We are in a spiritual battle and we need our spiritual swords (i.e. the Word of God). For man shall not live by bread alone but by every word of God that speak. One of our top priorities is to preach the gospel. If we have no knowledge of God's Word, then we are babes in Christ trying to teach the good news. Our faith could be in danger for having no root in the Word as we preach. In fact, God's Word says we are to study to show ourselves approved unto God (2 Timothy 2:15). Yes, we as believers have to love others in person and with actions. Yes, we are to help those who are less fortunate and suffering. Ecclesiastes chapter 7 is talking about balance. For surely sorrow is not better than the right kind of laughter. Yes, Godly sorrow leads a person to repentance. But one day sorrow will have no purpose anymore. God will wipe away all tears; And there will be no more sorrow in the Eternal New Earth.
We are to love others the best way we can. How can we condemn others if we do not do those things ourselves?
How can we be against our own brethren for studying God's Word?
For faith comes by hearing and hearing the Word of God.
Yes, if faith does not have action to back it up, then it is a dead faith (of course). But it is not for us to be the Judge of our brethren, unless they are causing discord within our own church of which we would be a shepherd or a pastor of.
We are to love others the best way we can. How can we condemn others if we do not do those things ourselves?
How can we be against our own brethren for studying God's Word?
For faith comes by hearing and hearing the Word of God.
Yes, if faith does not have action to back it up, then it is a dead faith (of course). But it is not for us to be the Judge of our brethren, unless they are causing discord within our own church of which we would be a shepherd or a pastor of.
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Grace Community International probably has some of the best articles on that topic.
The Old Covenant and the Law of Moses | Grace Communion International
The Old Covenant and the Law of Moses | Grace Communion International
Doesn't change the truth of Scripture whatever their motivations were. People are flawed. Their sense of being convicted of correct doctrine does not mean that God still needs to convict them of other wrong things (If what you say is true). Besides, where you actually there in seeing them being rich off this opportunity? Do they now have mansions, and fancy cars? Do they now hold onto millions in their own personal accounts? Did you see all these things?
My guess is that you haven't seen these things firsthand. Which means you are believing what somebody else is saying.
My guess is that you haven't seen these things firsthand. Which means you are believing what somebody else is saying.
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This is called misdirection. It does not matter what their motivation was. It does not change the truth in the Scriptures that say if you seek to be justified by the Law, you have fallen from grace. For surely if you were living during the reign of David and seen him murder and or commit adultery, you could then claim that the religion David follows is false because of his sins. It's no different in what you are claiming in regards to GCI. For Catholicism believes in the Trinity and that Jesus is God. Doesn't mean their other doctrines are correct.
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Not all KJV users are claiming that. It is the version of my memorization over the past 35 years. I see no value in trying to exchange those for some other words. It's like remembering my name and birth place. I have memorized and put on record swearing when and where I was born, though technically the place has a new name among citizens there.
Although I might have run scriptures I post here through Hebrew/Greek concordances many times, I do it again anyway. I always learn more doing that, and get more meat of the word.
Context is very important concerning the OP topic. The OP uses one verse, but it takes more verses to put it rightly "divided". The confusion is over the intent of the word "dividing", assumed by many as used in math, to render into equal parts. Here's more context:
2 Timothy 2:15-18 (KJV)
[SUP]15 [/SUP] Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
[SUP]16 [/SUP] But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
[SUP]17 [/SUP] And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
[SUP]18 [/SUP] Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
The two disciples got into grave error over distortion of the resurrection yet to come, using scriptures improperly to prove it had come already. That doctrine caused ungodliness. That word "dividing" is from the compound Greek (transliterated) orthotomeo, m[FONT="][/FONT]eaning to handle or expound correctly. That begins a proper understanding of the word so it can fit into the surrounding words to form a larger context.
It isn't always to be read literally as self-standing like perhaps a proverb can, to the exclusion of other topics in expanded context. It would be improper for a person to use that passage above to apply to the Church in general on the assumption most never read the Bible, have little or no knowledge of it, so end up distorting it. Instead we learn the two men Paul listed were specifically linked to unrightly dividing/handling/dissecting (cutting out parts to use for a purpose not intended) the word of truth then presenting untruth. Their error caused other believers to go into error, who should have rightly handled the same scriptures themselves.
The OP verse actually is represented in more verses in that chapter. 2 Timothy 2:22-23 (KJV)
[SUP]22 [/SUP] Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
[SUP]23 [/SUP] But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
The general context is about falling into error by entertaining poorly handled word of truth, then mixing in foolishness to compound the errors.
The difficult part for us to practice is a continuation of the topic in 2 Timothy 2:24-26 (KJV)
[SUP]24 [/SUP] And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
[SUP]25 [/SUP] In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
[SUP]26 [/SUP] And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
That doesn't mean you should water down the word of truth, or tolerate error in order to be pleasant when teaching. The word "strive" meaning quarrel, fight in battle. Jesus taught that this way in Mark 6:10-12 (KJV)
[SUP]10 [/SUP] And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place.
[SUP]11 [/SUP] And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.
[SUP]12 [/SUP] And they went out, and preached that men should repent.
Resolutely deliver the rightly handled truth, simply teaching it rightly. If it is rejected (even by someone here on CChat), calmly shake the dust off your "feet" and move on. Just make sure you leave enough truth behind that some might come to themselves with it. I like to leave some quote from Jesus that fits the topic or spirit of a discussion gone very wrong. Christians are tasked to teach and preach the word of truth, handled accurately, applied properly, and depart from ungodliness.
Although I might have run scriptures I post here through Hebrew/Greek concordances many times, I do it again anyway. I always learn more doing that, and get more meat of the word.
Context is very important concerning the OP topic. The OP uses one verse, but it takes more verses to put it rightly "divided". The confusion is over the intent of the word "dividing", assumed by many as used in math, to render into equal parts. Here's more context:
2 Timothy 2:15-18 (KJV)
[SUP]15 [/SUP] Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
[SUP]16 [/SUP] But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
[SUP]17 [/SUP] And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
[SUP]18 [/SUP] Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
The two disciples got into grave error over distortion of the resurrection yet to come, using scriptures improperly to prove it had come already. That doctrine caused ungodliness. That word "dividing" is from the compound Greek (transliterated) orthotomeo, m[FONT="][/FONT]eaning to handle or expound correctly. That begins a proper understanding of the word so it can fit into the surrounding words to form a larger context.
It isn't always to be read literally as self-standing like perhaps a proverb can, to the exclusion of other topics in expanded context. It would be improper for a person to use that passage above to apply to the Church in general on the assumption most never read the Bible, have little or no knowledge of it, so end up distorting it. Instead we learn the two men Paul listed were specifically linked to unrightly dividing/handling/dissecting (cutting out parts to use for a purpose not intended) the word of truth then presenting untruth. Their error caused other believers to go into error, who should have rightly handled the same scriptures themselves.
The OP verse actually is represented in more verses in that chapter. 2 Timothy 2:22-23 (KJV)
[SUP]22 [/SUP] Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
[SUP]23 [/SUP] But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
The general context is about falling into error by entertaining poorly handled word of truth, then mixing in foolishness to compound the errors.
The difficult part for us to practice is a continuation of the topic in 2 Timothy 2:24-26 (KJV)
[SUP]24 [/SUP] And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
[SUP]25 [/SUP] In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
[SUP]26 [/SUP] And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
That doesn't mean you should water down the word of truth, or tolerate error in order to be pleasant when teaching. The word "strive" meaning quarrel, fight in battle. Jesus taught that this way in Mark 6:10-12 (KJV)
[SUP]10 [/SUP] And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place.
[SUP]11 [/SUP] And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.
[SUP]12 [/SUP] And they went out, and preached that men should repent.
Resolutely deliver the rightly handled truth, simply teaching it rightly. If it is rejected (even by someone here on CChat), calmly shake the dust off your "feet" and move on. Just make sure you leave enough truth behind that some might come to themselves with it. I like to leave some quote from Jesus that fits the topic or spirit of a discussion gone very wrong. Christians are tasked to teach and preach the word of truth, handled accurately, applied properly, and depart from ungodliness.
Who EVER said that I sought to be justified by the Law? What I have always and consistently said is that the Law defines sin...
Rom 7:7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.
1Jn 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
And that we are justified by Christ's blood...
Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Rom 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
Rom 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
If you can produce a post that says I believe that we are JUSTIFIED by obedience to the Law, do so. If not, perhaps you should investigate before you castigate.
Rom 7:7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.
1Jn 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
And that we are justified by Christ's blood...
Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Rom 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
Rom 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
If you can produce a post that says I believe that we are JUSTIFIED by obedience to the Law, do so. If not, perhaps you should investigate before you castigate.
Do you know what the WCG believed and taught?
Yep. Do you believe that you can break the Ten Commandments with impunity? Are you a thief? Do you believe that the eighth Commandment is no longer in force?
I believe that one must obey all Ten of the Commandments to be saved. Do you believe that the breaking the fourth Commandment is sin? How about the seventh Commandment? Do you believe that one must obey the seventh Commandment?
Do you believe that breaking the Ten Commandments is of no consequence?
Absolutely. Do you?
Yep. Do you believe that you can break the Ten Commandments with impunity? Are you a thief? Do you believe that the eighth Commandment is no longer in force?
I believe that one must obey all Ten of the Commandments to be saved. Do you believe that the breaking the fourth Commandment is sin? How about the seventh Commandment? Do you believe that one must obey the seventh Commandment?
Do you believe that breaking the Ten Commandments is of no consequence?
Absolutely. Do you?