Cut it straight

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth (2Timothy 2:15 NASB).

I used to think this verse was only a call to be very careful to immerse ourselves in the Word, study hard, ask the Spirit to teach us, understand what it is saying, and not present it out of context to others. We must absolutely hold firm to all these things – seek God through His Word, hide it in your heart, and live it out to His glory.

But look down the tracks. Someone had to work hard to cut a straight path through lots of trees to build this railroad track so that people and cargo could travel to a certain destination. God calls us as fellow laborers in the family business “to accurately handle” (“orthotomeo”) the word of truth. That Greek word literally commands us “to cut it straight.” We must work hard to “make straight the way of the Lord” (John 1:23 NASB) directly through the vast forests of confusion so that people can easily get on the right track and follow Jesus.

Most people simply do not know what the Bible says. They are groping in darkness and God is calling us to be truth-bearers. So “prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life” (Phil 2:15-16 NASB).

Cut a straight path. Speak the truth in love. Light the way!

© 2012 Tim McKenzie – www.OnEveryWord.com