Three Phrases Of Guidance Series

Three Phrases of Guidance

Foundational Directive Truths for 2023

For the child of God who wants to continue to grow with Jesus Christ, who lives in a reverent fear of God, being enabled and empowered by the Holy Spirit of Christ, there is a truth, a promise to lay hold of. The exhortation from the New Testament is “…continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose.” (Philippians 2:12)

Other Scriptural truths for the New Year are Hebrews 13:5b – 6 says, “‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. So, we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?’" Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Proverbs 3:1-6 says, “My son, do not forget My teachings, but keep my commands in your heart; for they will prolong your life years and bring you prosperity. Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

Morris Procter, conducts Bible software camps for Logos. He is a Born-again Bible Theologian. He pointed out to us when God gives directive phrases, they are brief, to the point and must be given heed too, if a Christian wants to rest in the favor of God. Directive phrases you are familiar with are: “God is love, love one another, do not fear, and pray continually.

Three foundational directives which will enable you to rest in God’s favor are:

1.) Study to show thyself approved.

2.) Must be found faithful.

3.) Everything done in an orderly fashion.

“Study to show thyself approved,” is the King James version for 2 Timothy 2:15 – a charge to those who are called to teach God’s Word. “Study” (sp??d??? spoudázo) means to make every evert to do ones best, to be eager. (Zodhiates, S. (2000). In The complete word study dictionary: New Testament (electronic ed.). AMG Publishers.) We are to give diligence to present ourselves for study so as to show ourselves as wanting to be approved. (Spence-Jones, H. D. M., ed. (1909). 2 Timothy (p. 21). Funk & Wagnalls Company.) Preacher/teachers must be a workman who is not ashamed of their work and take pains in accomplishing it. This includes studying/preparation and in application of preaching and teaching the Word of God. (Matthew Henry’s commentary on the whole Bible: complete and unabridged in one volume (p. 2362). Hendrickson.)

This directive is a universal truth which has a positive effect on everything we apply our lives to in this earth. Whatever we feel our heart’s desire would have us do this year must be approached as it belongs to the Lord, who is Sovereign over everything. We are only stewards over it and there will be a day of accountability at the Judgement Seat of Christ and the White Throne Judgement of God.

God, Who is in full control has laid this application on everything in life. Thank God there are people who grasp this truth. For example: Everyone expects their doctors to not only study but be physicians who are approved by those who know the field of medicine. Everyone wants the pilot of the plane they are on to not only study – but be approved to be an air-line pilot.

People who excel in whatever is on fire in their hearts to do, apply the hard work of study, then present their efforts to the proper authority as one wanting to be approved. People who excel want their work examined, then approved and endorsed by people who have been successful in that field. People who apply the Biblical principle of husbandry, animal/farming end up breeding quality animals and/or produce seed which produces the highest quality of crops.

The best doctors and surgeons do the hard of study and do the proper amount of clinicals so they can be dependable in the operating room or as they see their patients in their office. The safest pilots are those who study, apply their skills every way possible, facing every circumstance which may come their way, so they can fly the planes entrusted to them. This application of study is applicable for everything in life.

My son’s father-in-law understands this universal truth. He is a certified electrician, he not only studied, but he was also examined for that field he makes his living in. He also applies this truth to cooking, building a fence for the back yard, he even studied and became certified to build swimming pools, so he can build his own swimming pool. He took the course, was examined – then certified – thus, they have a very nice pool mostly built by him. He is great at everything he put his hands too. All because he applies the hard work of study and being approved. It is a directive truth enjoyed by those who have learned the value of studying and approval.