Daily Devotion #2

Contextual Christianity

“Do your best to present yourself to God as a tried-and-true worker who isn't ashamed to teach the word of truth correctly.” 2 Timothy 2:15 (GWT)
“Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.” (NLT)
“Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth.” (AMP)

I know that I have been guilty of sometimes quoting a scripture out of context and making it apply to whatever I was saying. But NOOOO!! We cannot do that! We miss out on the true understanding and overall message of a particular passage by henpecking through the scriptures. True indeed, that is how a lot of so-called “moral wrongs” have been excused through the ages—that’s right, by misquoting the bible. Reading in context means gaining understanding and comprehension in terms of when it was written, why it was written, who that particular passage may have been written for(the audience), and what is actually being said.

I was watching Bible Study online—well, actually a Financial Empowerment seminar—and I had actually realized about a week ago how I have been missing out on the truths in God’s word by not reading in context and by not truly understanding what has been said. I ask God for healing, health, deliverance and prosperity, but truthfully, I am not doing everything He asks. I mean really, how can you expect to be healed if you do not heed the full warning? How can you ask for prosperity if you do not know that it is necessary to be fully obedient? How can you want to be delivered if you have not studied to know what is needed to gain that deliverance? Many people have begun to easily doubt and question God and some of His messengers because they simply have not followed directions. The main things God tells us is to love and trust Him wholeheartedly, love others unconditionally, and believe even when the whole world has accepted defeat. God takes care of His people; but how can He do that if you haven’t at least taken the medicines He had provided you with? Reading and spending time in God’s presence guarantees that you have the relationship necessary to call Him correctly on His word! The key here is that mostly everything in the Bible has already happened.

Challenge yourself to go deeper in the Lord by simply reading the whole story so you can get the whole truth and nothing but the truth! Trust that God will give you the understanding He wants you to have!

“Acquire wisdom. Acquire understanding. Do not forget. Do not turn away from the words that I have spoken. Do not abandon wisdom, and it will watch over you. Love wisdom, and it will protect you. The beginning of wisdom is to acquire wisdom. Acquire understanding with all that you have.” Proverbs 4:5-7