Ephesians 2:10 tells us that we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them. Meaning that we do not just continue to live our lives after being saved, but we have been enlisted into the workmanship of God. We have moved from being babies to becoming sons who are responsible for the kingdom. Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 3:9 calls us co-labourers together with God, so it is no longer business as usual, there is work to be done, and there is a way it ought to be done.

II Timothy 2:15

King James Version

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

Paul speaking to Timothy, his disciple, was instructing him to study to show himself approved, to show himself approved a workman unto God, rightly dividing the word of truth.

The word study there is the Greek word “spoudazo”, which means “to be diligent”. That is to say that there is diligence expected of us in the study of the word. That we do not just take the things of God with levity, but instead, show intentionality and diligence in our approach.

Yes, we should study the word, but in the right way. Not that we are here today and there tomorrow.

The way some people approach is like registering in four different schools and taking their different classes, but expecting to pass the exams at the end of the semester. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way. There is a place for sitting still in one place and following through.

That’s what we mean about diligence; that you are so serious about the word that you would not allow just any kind of teacher to teach you or go to just any church because it is convenient. Just like you choose the best school for yourself, you choose the best teacher for your study.

In studying diligently, you show yourself approved unto God. While it is easy for us to show our diligence to things that we consider important like academics, we must also be willing to show diligence to the things of God that counts for eternity because that is how we show ourselves approved as a workman unto God.

The same way your diligence in school makes you approved in school, your diligence in the word makes you approved by God.

Hebrews 11:6

King James Version

6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

We find God in our diligence and he rewards us; he approves of us workmen. God’s approval is on a diligent man. Therefore, we must be diligent in our study of the word, in prayer, in evangelism, in service, and in everything that pertains to the things of God.

Because in our diligence we show ourselves approved unto God as a workman (or laborer) who can be trusted; that others can discern your diligence in laboring. When you speak, lead prayers, and preach the word, we must see that you have done your work in diligence and study and labored in the right place. The allusion is to be a workman, a steward who makes a proper distribution. Each one under his care, to rightly divide the word of truth.

We see that this is a workman who needs not to be ashamed and faithfully performs his duties. And when we check, we see that he has laboured, and is rightly dividing the word of truth. Better rendered:  rightly laying out is to cut straight.  This implies that if there is a right way to “divide” the word, there is certainly a wrong way. There’s a right way to study the word through proper bible interpretation, and there’s also a right way to be a disciple of the word.

Imagine registering for a course in four different schools and attending classes as you feel like in each of the different schools, and then sit for the exams. Will you pass the exams? No, it doesn’t work that way. There’s a curriculum to follow through and there’s what you must learn to pass the exams. In the same vein, there is what you must learn in church to grow as a believer. you don’t go to four different churches every month and expect to grow. Apostle Paul called such people children.

Ephesians 4:14

King James Version

14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

In such practice there is no diligence, nor is there any growth. So if we’re studying the word of God, we must do it the right way; not learning from hundreds of teachers and itching for the next deeper thing. but being diligent and comfortable in the simplicity of the Word of God.

Diligence does not just come by happenstance, it comes with intentionality. That is, setting structures in place to study, pray, etc., as well as being accountable that you may rightly divide the word of truth.

Prayer Point:

I am diligent in my walk with God. I am diligent in study, in prayer, in evangelism and in service. I am approved to God a workman and do it rightly.