How to cut straight - orthotomeō

Understanding the Importance of Clear Discernment

In our spiritual journeys, we may sometimes encounter detours, shortcuts, or even roadblocks. These distractions can lead us astray from the clear path of God's Word. Paul, in his letter to Timothy, urges us to "be diligent to present yourself approved to God, as a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15).  

The Power of Clarity

The Mirror Bible translation beautifully captures the essence of this instruction: "live your life from a place where you are familiar with the complete approval of God; you do not need to apologize for the fact that your experience might be a contradiction to your faith!" (II Timothy 2:15, Mirror Bible).  

The Greek Word for "Rightly Dividing"

The Greek word for "rightly dividing" is orthotomeō. It means "to cut straight" or "to handle aright." This suggests that we should approach the Word of God with precision and care.

The Straight Cut

When we rightly divide the Word, we are presenting the Gospel in a clear, undiluted, and unbent manner. We avoid mixing the old covenant with the new, grace with works, or human doctrines with the purity of God's message.

The Power of Clarity

The Mirror Bible emphasizes the power of clarity: "There is such an immediate authority in clarity! Truth triumphs over every contradiction!" (II Timothy 2:15, Mirror Bible). When we present the Gospel straight, we unveil Jesus in all His splendor. It shines a light on the difference between the law of works and the law of perfect liberty in Christ.

Applying the Straight Cut in Our Lives

This concept of "cutting straight" challenges us to be honest with ourselves and others about the Gospel's message. It means avoiding the temptation to add our own interpretations or opinions. It means allowing the pure, unadulterated Word of God to take center stage.

Key Biblical Principles

1. The Unity of Scripture: The Bible is a unified whole, each part complementing and illuminating the other. We must avoid isolating passages from their context, as this can lead to misinterpretation. The whole of the Bible is about Jesus and we should be careful to make the Bible into law or a recipe book for us to follow.

2. The Authority of Scripture: The living Word, Jesus,  is the supreme authority for believers. The Bible is the written word. It is the inspired Word of God, and it provides the standard for truth that we would do good to read with the assistance of the Holy Spirit to discern well

3. The Role of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Jesus. He is our guide and teacher, illuminating and rightly dividing the written Word of God along with the truth of God's Word. We must rely on His guidance to understand Scripture correctly.

4. The Importance of Context: Understanding the historical, cultural, and literary context of a passage is essential for proper discernment and interpretation.

The Challenge and the Reward

The Gospel should always be provided with clarity and truth. In this regard Jesus, and His finished work, is the focus. He is the Way, the Truth and Life. In world of confusion, this focus requires diligence, just as Paul instructs Timothy. The reward is immense. When we do so, we open the door for others to experience the complete grace and approval of God, just like the Mirror Bible translation highlights. We empower others to walk in the victory achieved by the Word Himself – the pure Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Look in the Mirror

Without any delay, live your life from a place where you are familiar with the complete approval of God; you do not need to apologize for the fact that your experience might be a contradiction to your faith! What God believes about you needs no defence! There is such an immediate authority in clarity! Truth triumphs over every contradiction! It makes a clear-cut division between light and darkness; the word of truth shows distinctly that the duty-driven law of works and annoyances and the love-driven law of perfect liberty have nothing in common! (The word spoudazō means to use speed, to be prompt, immediately. The word paristēmi from para, a preposition indicating close proximity, a thing proceeding from a sphere of influence, with a suggestion of union of place of residence, to have sprung from its author and giver, originating from, denoting the point from which an action originates, intimate connection; and istemi, to position. The word alētheia means not concealed, truth, clarity.) [II Timothy 2:15] http://www.mirrorbible.com]

Conclusion

Let's commit to cutting straight! Let's present the Gospel with precision and care, allowing the transformative power of God's Word onto salvation. By doing so, we can ensure that our understanding of God's grace aligns with Him. This is our calling.

The volume of the book

Today we are eavesdropping on some conversation between other people.

Think that's good?

Is it even allowed?

In the Bible?

Well, it's in the Bible!

ergazomai ... or logizomai

Writing his letter to the Romans, Paul asks this question that forms the basis of who we are ...

He asks in Romans 4 are you what you are because you were able to work for it yourself, or because you are so reckoned?

Where do you find your identity?

"Can you work it out?"

Fruit of the Spirit

Have you ever heard the preaching that says how that you have to bear fruit?

And the right fruit!

Not the wrong fruit!

You will be known by your fruit!

An able God!

Most of us believe that God is able to fulfill His promises.

However, most of what we are told is nothing more than deferred hope (Pro 13:12) - a gospel based on distance (God is far) and delay (you'd never know when, or if God would move). Pure religion!

Even the Israelites believed this lie whilst God moved visibly with them in the desert, yet instantly helped them when they were thirsty, hungry, in need of victory over their enemies, bitten by snakes, etc. etc.

Reading who God is in pictures

Can you remember those cvc children's books where you start off by reading in written text and every now and then a word is substituted by a picture in the sentence?

As children play

Well, ancient text writing started out exactly like that. Written language (or text) was a mere system of simple pictures (pictographs or symbols) organized in such a way that whoever reads it would read the same message again and again.

Know your place ...

It is always good to know where you are ...

No, seriously!

Not knowing where you stand may cause you to behave and react in totally strange and irrational ways. It may even make you do things that you ought not to. And for many perverse reasons ...

When church is not church

When Church is Not Church

A strange thing happened this week. I was having a quiet time with the Holy Spirit, pondering the meaning of "church," when I received a question about the names of the churches in the book of Revelation. By the time I received the question, I had already coined the title of this post: "When Church is Not Church."

Amazingly, my quiet time turned into more of a revelation than I expected.

Let's start with the word "church."

Exceeding glorious ministry of righteousness

This post is not my own.

I admit that I copied it all from the Apostle of Grace.

And I'm not even commenting.

Every thing said is just perfect.

So, sit back and drink deep, very deep.

Then, ponder and let it sink in ...

Repeat as often as you need.

Shaken by end-time prophecy

Many times we are troubled and shaken by so-called end-time-prophecies.

Many times a sense of fear is provoked amongst believers. All based on obedience and own works ... Do! Get Busy! Serve! Obey!

And the institutional church has become an expert in this.