Right Division of the Word 3
By Pastor Raphael Adegoke
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2Timothy 2:15)
All adoration to God for another bright and beautiful day! It’s wonderful once again coming together in the presence of God. May the blessings of His presence come upon us in the name of Jesus! Amen. Last Tuesday, on this series, the focus was on sincerity, but today we shall be considering humility and worldview.
It is an undeniable fact that everyone has got a worldview or school(s) of thoughts. This is without the exception of ministers of the Gospel. These different worldviews are often the major reasons for different interpretations of the scriptures apart from its original message they communicate.
Worldview is not formed in isolation, but often influenced by certain factors. Some of these are beyond individual’s control. Some of the factors that often influence our worldview include our background, family, culture, tradition, religion, education, exposure, experience, friendship, environment, genes; e.t.c. God is never unaware of these factors before giving us His Word to which He expects everyone to align, irrespective of individual’s inclination(s).
One of our challenges in aligning to the WORD-VIEW, that is, God’s worldview is lack of humility. This is also a major reason why we don’t enjoy the full package of God’s Word and don’t end up becoming who Christ wants us to become. And He said to them, “Follow Me [as My disciples, accepting Me as your Master and Teacher and walking the same path of life that I walk], and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19 Amplified Bible (AMP). Meanwhile, it is unarguable that becoming a true disciple is aligning to the worldview of a master
There are expected attitudes from whoever will align with the WORDVIEW. Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. (Matthew 16:24). Such attitudes of true disciples as explicitly and emphatically stated by Jesus Christ include: (1) Self denial (2) Taking Up, and (3) Following.
Our major problem as ministers today is not the unwillingness of Jesus to lead, but our unwillingness to deny self. Though, it is undisputable that self has been formed long ago due to some of the aforementioned factors, yet for there to be anything meaningful, it must be denied.
It must be noted that denial is not non-existence. It is simply not yielding even when it seems our ideology or worldview is rational and that of the master is irrational. For instance it is humanly irrational to love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, pray for those that curse you and pray for those who spitefully use you.
But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you” (Luke 6:27-28)
It is undoubtedly clear that it will be practically difficult, if not impossible, to rightly divide the Word of Truth if there is no imbibition of the ideology of a master. That is where discipline comes and without which nobody can become a disciple. This will often require doing away with your personality and beliefs. Without this, your interpretation of the scripture will be diluted, adulterated or tainted.
Pastor Raphael Adegoke is a Pastor in Christ Apostolic Church (Nigeria & Overseas) and a Lecturer in Christ Apostolic Church Theological Seminary.
