A Worker Approved by God

In 2 Timothy 2 Paul writes, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15, ESV). With only a few words the apostle draws our attention away from the challenges of the moment and the cares of this age to focus our attention on the Day when we will stand before our Lord.

This is an incredibly liberating perspective when we consider the multitude of tasks and the cacophony of voices vying for our attention each day. Ultimately, as the apostle reminds us, we serve the Lord Jesus, and one day after this life has ended, we will stand before his throne to present ourselves to him.

On that Day the vast majority of things that seem so pressing and significant on this side of eternity will appear trivial and insignificant in the light of Jesus’ glory and majesty. Temporary concerns will fade away into the past and our priorities will finally align perfectly with his.

Although we can see only dimly now, as if in a mirror, on that Day we will see and understand with perfect clarity because we will see Jesus face to face (1 Cor. 13:12).

What an incredible challenge we face in this age as we move from day to day, growing in our love for God and neighbors. So many things seem urgent but very few are truly necessary and of eternal significance (Luke 10:42). The Lord Jesus has rescued us from damnation, granted us salvation, blessed us with sanctification, and called us to a ministry of reconciliation.

In spite of this great salvation and the incredible calling He has placed upon our lives, we sometimes forget that we will soon stand before Him and give an account for all we have done with the many blessings we have received from His hand.

Paul succinctly articulates the goal for that Day: “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed” (2 Tim. 2:15). If we have faithfully communicated the good news of Jesus Christ, which is to say, if we have rightly handled the word of truth then we will have no reason to be ashamed when we stand before him.

May we keep our eyes always on the Lord and our focus continually on the charge to rightly handle the truth that has set us free and liberated us to carry out our ministry faithfully.