"Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth."
2 Timothy 2:15
Part 5
Yesterday: We Are Striving To Be “Approved Workman”
“A workman.”
We who love and serve the Lord Jesus Christ are His “workers,” laboring for Him. He’s the Boss, and we are the workers. He’s the Chef, and we are the waiters. He is the Farmer, and we are the field-hands.
Today: We Are Never Ashamed When We Do Our Best
“That needeth not to be ashamed.”
One of the hardest things for a worker is to be called into account because of sub-par performance. Did you ever turn in a homework assignment or report that you knew you had not done well in school? Can you remember the shame you felt when the teacher returned your work with a grade that embarrassed you, and you still had to take it to your parents to get it signed? That humiliation was nothing compared to the indignity we will feel when we stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ if we have not done our best work for Him.
What’s the difference between good and bad workers? Shoddy workmanship is not just a problem in the home, school, the church, or the Jobsite, but it is a significant problem in the business world. Here are some characteristics of poor workers.[1]
1. Poor job performance – works at levels below expectation
2. Can’t get along with others, rude, fusses with coworkers
3. Doesn’t listen to anyone wanting to help – resists help
4. We never did it that way before! Resists change, unwillingness to learn
5. Will not take responsibility for actions, exaggerates and lies
6. Rotten attitude! Undertow.
7. Lack of Character – poor or no work ethic – lazy, late, steals, gossips, even breaks the law if it is convenient
8. Pride and arrogance, they disrespect others
9. Poor Communication Skills – hard to understand
10. “Yes, but…” excuses, won’t try, does not extend themselves
11. Takes credit for others’ work. Plagiarist. Glory Hog.
Isn’t it interesting that each of these can be tied to sinful practices listed in the Bible? God knew way before man did that sinners will try to take advantage of others in the workplace. Sinners are basically finite and lazy and want their own way, and this certainly makes for problems with a good work ethic.
Dear believers, if any of these traits are part of our work habits, shame on us! These things will never help us glorify God through our work. These will undoubtedly make us “unapproved workers.” Let me challenge you to search the Scriptures to find characteristics of a good, godly worker.
From his studies in first and second Timothy, Warren Wiersbe gives us three characteristics of a pastor and/or Christian servants who are “approved workers.” [2]
“An approved worker diligently studies the Word and seeks to apply it to his own life.”
“An approved worker will shun ‘godless chatter (2 Timothy 2:16; and see 1 Timothy 6:20) because he knows it only leads to more ungodliness.
“An approved workman knows that false doctrine is dangerous, and he will oppose it.
We need to remember that every believer will have their work examined at the “Judgment Seat of Christ.”
“Wherefore we labor, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:9-10).
At that time, you and I will find out for sure if we have been His “approved workers” or not. When it’s our turn to have our works examined, will we be ashamed of what we bring to the Lord? At that time it will be too late to change our work habits. Any changes need to be made here and now. And we need to remember that Jesus Christ deserves only our best work.
The idea of 2 Timothy 2:15,
“It is better explained as a workman who has no cause for shame when his work is being inspected” [3] (White).
Paul had the right idea!
“According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life or by death” (Philippians 1:20).
Come back tomorrow when we talk about what it means to “rightly divide the Word of Truth.”
Quote: “Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons” (Colossians 3:22-25).
[1] This list was made up of my interpretation of three articles from the business world, which described what poor workers are like. These articles were downloaded: July 27, 2021. From: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/06/08/11-behaviors-of-a-problem-employee.html. From: https://www.newsmagonline.com/7-bad-employee-traits-and-personal-characteristics/. From: https://bizfluent.com/info-8431064-list-bad-employee-characteristics.html.
[2] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, pp. 246–247). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[3] White’s quote is borrowed from the Enduring Word Commentary, the electronic version in eSword.