Understanding the Importance of Being Approved by God in Your Study Journey

I don’t believe in “New Year’s Resolutions” but there is a scripture that helps me to remember what God expects.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God (Romans 12:1-2).

Breakdown – In the Old Testament animals were on the altar to take of Israel’s sins (this was a temporary covering). It took Jesus Christ to cleanse us from sin permanently. God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21). This was the exchange- Jesus became sin for us; we became righteous (we took on His righteousness).

For born again believers we are now the living sacrifices on the altar and we keep from sliding off the altar through the Word, fellowship with other believers, and prayer.

Be not conformed to this world; doing the same things worldly things that unsaved people do. Being transformed is twofold; there is an initial transformation that brings about a complete change and the second part of transformation is a process that continues as long as we are on this earth.

Good, acceptable, and perfect will of God- when we are not conformed to the world, when we are transformed with a renewed mind daily, This is the will of God and He is pleased. When we give ourselves sacrificially, studying the Word of is the number one requirement that keeps us from being ashamed.  

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15). Although Paul was writing to Timothy and some think studying is for leaders, but every child of God is required to study for themselves.

Ashamed – many post scriptures on social media and they are not explained. Why? Because some people don’t know what they mean.

Example: Saying someone needs, to be saved but not explaining the reason. It goes deeper than confessing and believing, or by grace through faith. People need to know why they are lost. Adam caused everyone to be lost because he disobeyed God (Adam sinned). Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned (Romans 5:12).

How do you think the Lord feels to be in error, not taking time to study, which means spending personal time with Him..

If you are born again, there are requirements that God made and none of His children are exempt; there is no justification for not doing what God has required of us. From this message I pray that the readers will start off right in 2026, by obeying the Word of God and you will be abundantly blessed.

Striving to get closer to the Lord

Betty A. Burnett ~ burnettministries.org