rightly dividing the word
ABOUT ME
I was born and raised in North Georgia on a small farm, with chores. I had a great childhood which included horses. My favorite sport in school was basketball. My college major was Civil Engineering.
I was taken to church from a very early age. Going to church has been a part of my entire life. I confessed Jesus as my Lord and Savior at age 12. My church life consisted of going to church regularly, listening to sermons and occasionally reading the Bible. Although a horrible method, with that routine, I developed all my doctrines and beliefs.
In 1988, I was challenged by a pamphlet I was reading. The man said, “About the Bible, you have two choices. Either it is the Word of God or it is not the Word of God.” I thought, certainly I believe the Bible is the Word of God. Then the man said, “If you believe the Bible is the Word of God, you still have two choices. Either God told you the Truth or God told you a lie.” I thought, well I certainly believe God told me the Truth. Then the man said, “If you believe God told you the Truth, then act like it!”
That statement really shook my heart. I paused and thought about my church life and my natural life for a period of time. I came to the conclusion that I had never acted like God told me the Truth. Being honest with myself and coming to that conclusion, I prayed a simple prayer. I said Father, I am going to act like you told me the Truth.
The next time I opened the Bible the words seem to be so clear to me and I started understanding the Word. It was then that I begin to do that which Paul told Timothy.
2nd Timothy 2:15 Study to show yourself approved unto God a workman needing not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth.
Much of what I have studied and learned from the Word of God violated many of my learned doctrines and beliefs, which I had developed from going to many churches of different denominations and listening to sermons.
That which I post on this blog site is not for the purpose of selling anyone my beliefs, but in hopes that it will give everyone who visit here a desire to study the Bible and research the Word with an open heart and a desire to know the Truth, as those in Berea.
Acts 17:11 They received the Word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, wether those things were so.
May the eyes of our understanding be enlightened!
Jerry Thomas
RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD
When extracting divine wisdom for the scriptures, and rightly dividing the word of truth, it is important to have some Godly biblical guidelines. When we properly use those guidelines, we have a better chance of extracting correct counsel from the Word of God as in the same form in which it left the throne of God. The scriptures actually give us four categories to use.
2 Tim 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
Doctrine is that which is taught by an instructor or teacher.
Reproof is to charge with a fault to the face or censure for an error.
Correction is the act of bringing back from error or deviation to a just standard of truth.
Instruction in righteousness is tutorage, i.e. education or training in equity or purity of heart as pertaining to the scriptures and theology.
There are also some simple guidelines to pay close attention to as we study the Word of God.
1. No verse out of context.
2. Interpret scripture with scripture.
3. Proper use of conjunctions in scripture.
4. Who is doing the speaking?
5. Who is being spoken to?
6. Think when we read.
7. We must be willing to lay down the traditions of men and religion.
8. God speaks totally different to His enemies than He speaks to His family.
When we apply these simple guidelines while we study the Word of God, we will have a much better chance of extracting proper counsel from the Word of God.