Approved unto God

It's that time of year: the beginning of the school year is upon us all. Many of us college students started school over a week ago, while many pre, elementary, and high schools are beginning this week. Some of you reading this would have started even before that. Tonight, I would like to offer you an encouragement and a challenge as you begin a year of learning.

As you go throughout this year, there is no doubt that you will be doing a lot of studying. In the Bible, the word study is specifically used five different times. Here are those five times:

Proverbs 15:28
28 The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.

Proverbs 24:1-2
1 Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them.
2 For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.

Ecclesiastes 12:12
12 And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.

I Thessalonians 4:11
11 And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;

II Timothy 2:15
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

What principles can we take into this school year from these five Bible passages?

1. Study so you are able to give an answer.

When we study, we should be studying so we can give an answer. What is the point of studying otherwise? But this is more than just studying for the purpose of giving an answer. This is studying so that we do not look like fools when we have not studied.

I was a student who didn't have to study much in elementary or high school. But when it came to my final exams, I had to study hard so that I did not look like a fool when the test was placed in front of me and when the grade came out. Even now in college, there are times when I do not have to study as much- because I have studied something out or know it already- but there are still times when I absolutely need to study, or I will look like a fool.

2. Study what is right.

What is the point of studying if what we are studying is wrong? We have already seen that we need to study to give an answer. If we study the wrong material though, we will be giving the wrong answer. 

In the context of this passage, the wrong "material" is the way of the wicked. The wicked desire to do just that- wickedness. Mischief. Evil. If we study to be like them, we will be on a path that is leading to destruction. But if we study the right material, the righteous way, we can live on that righteous path for all our lives.

3. Study the Word of God above all else.

Now I know what many of you thought when you read Ecclesiastes 12:12-- "MOM!!! THIS GUY JUST SAID TOO MUCH STUDYING ISN'T GOOD FOR ME!!!" But we have to realize where Solomon, the author, is coming from here in this book. This is the same author and book where it is said, "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity!" And obviously, everything is not emptiness. What Solomon is saying here is that much studying of topics outside of God's Word without finding and reading the commandments of God, along with obeying them, is not good for a follower of God. It makes us weary- tired. It's why PCC insists that all students take a Bible class every semester. The Bible refreshes us when we are in the middle of studying other topics and is the most important book for each of us to study.

4. Study quietly and diligently.

We may hate to do our studying quietly and diligently, but there are definite benefits in doing this. Verse 12 of I Thessalonians 4 explains these benefits, one of which we have already somewhat looked at.

Benefit number 1 is that we "may walk honestly toward them that are without. . ." This verse is referring to those people who are unbelievers- without, or outside, the body of Christ. When we have diligently studied, especially God's Word, we can honestly answer unbelievers and help them understand God's Word.

Benefit number 2 is that we "may have lack of nothing." When God says this, He is saying that He will supply for all of our needs. He expresses this throughout the Bible. This is the principle found in Matthew 6:33: "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." When we focus on our study of  God and His Word, He is more than able to supply our needs.

5. Study to be approved by God.

II Timothy 2 speaks of how we should study. We should study in a way that God approves of us and our actions, specifically in how we study His Word. We should be "rightly dividing the Word of Truth"- or rightly going through the Bible, taking its teachings, and learning to apply them to our lives in a way that's honoring and pleasing to Him.

So this school year, take these principles on studying from God's Word to heart as you looked to be approved by God as good workmen and students.