Integrity

Study to Show: A Lesson on Diligence

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shhhhh-quiet-everyone-study-wallpaperAs I was studying last night, my focus turned to 2 Timothy 2:15: “Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (KJV).”

The verse begins with the word “study,” and it finds its origin in the Greek word spoudazō. This word is frequently translated with the primary meaning of being “diligent.”

Paul’s instruction to Timothy was “Study to show…”  When I reflected on these three words it occurred to me that a lack of study also shows—diligence and negligence are polar opposites.

There are three different times that Paul used a form of spoudazō in his instructions to Timothy and Titus (2 Timothy 4:9, 21; Titus 3:12).  In each of these three cases, spoudazō is translated, “Do your best.”

When you read 2 Timothy 2:15, you can see three results of doing your best and being diligent in your study of God’s Word:

  • You receive God’s approval.
  • You will not be embarrassed or ashamed.
  • You “rightly divide the word of truth.”

The two words “rightly divide” are also interesting because they come from a Greek word that is only found once in the New Testament, and it is in this verse.  The word is handling or “orthotomeō,” and it means, “to cut straight; to set forth truthfully, without perversion or distortion (Munce).”

It is translated:

  • “Rightly handling the word of truth” in the English Standard Version.
  • “Handling the word of truth with precision” in the International Standard Version
  • “Correctly teaching the word of truth” in the Holman Christian Standard Bible.

To explain this verse I have often used the example of a carpenter making a straight cut through a piece of wood; however, last night I thought of this verse in a different setting. large_2009-06-23-Alliance-Stadium-grass

I think a better illustration of “rightly dividing the word of truth” is the well-manicured and carefully cut outfield of a baseball stadium.  These works of art are the result of a focused and concentrated effort that involves the use of the right equipment and allotting the proper amount of time to finish the task.

I’ll leave you with this thought:  How does your study show?

A Real Character

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Character seems to be in such short supply, I want to encourage you to make it the focus of your thoughts today. Integrity and character are key concepts of Psalm 26:

“Judge me favorably, O Lord, because I have walked with integrity and I have trusted you without wavering. Examine me, O Lord, and test me. Look closely into my heart and mind. I see your mercy in front of me. I walk in the light of your truth. I did not sit with liars, and I will not be found among hypocrites. I have hated the mob of evildoers and will not sit with wicked people. I will wash my hands in innocence. I will walk around your altar, O Lord, so that I may loudly sing a hymn of thanksgiving and tell about all your miracles.”

Each of the quotes below speak of some aspect of character:
• “Fame is a vapor, popularity an accident, riches take wing, and only character endures.” ~Horace Greely
• “The best index to a person’s character is how he treats people who can’t do him any good, and how he treats people who can’t fight back.” ~Abigail Van Buren
• “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.” ~Abraham Lincoln
• “You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.” ~Maya Angelou
• “Whoever is careless with the truth in small matters cannot be trusted with important matters” ~Albert Einstein
• “Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.” ~John Wooden
• “Talent is a gift, but character is a choice.” ~John C. Maxwell

When people comment about you what do they say?
• “Now, there goes a real character.”
• “Now there goes a person with real character.”

Which of the two above best describes you? Does your life resound with the words of the Psalmist? “Judge me favorably, O Lord, because I have walked with integrity and I have trusted you without wavering. Examine me, O Lord, and test me. Look closely into my heart and mind.”

What’s In A Name

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Most people who know me call me by the shortened form of my name.  Although my birth certificate reads, Stanley Lee Seymour,  most people call me Stan.   An etymological search of Stan reveals that it is Old English in origin and means rocky meadow or from the stony field.

Etymology, however, had nothing to do with the selection of my name.  Because my last name starts with an S, Mom and Dad thought it would be trendy for the first name of each of their children to start with an S.  My older brother’s name is Steve and my younger brother’s name is Brad.

Before he was born Brad’s name was going to be Stuart, but Mom was already having trouble calling Steve, Stan and Stan, Steve, so Stuart became Brad.

I think recent events show the power of a name.  Due to the bankruptcy of 2001, the name Enron is associated with corporate greed.  More recently, investment scams have come to be associated with the name Madoff.

Within the last couple of days, a new association has been given to the name  Schettino.  Captain Franceso Schettino has been accussed of dereliction of duty and cowardice.  If he was an officer in the United States military, he would be court-martialed.

In each of these examples, the absence of character was present.  For every ounce of character that Captain Schettio lacked, a pound of it was present in the cockpit of another captain.

The name Chesley Burnett Sullenberger III or “Sully” is associated with courage and integrity.  When faced with tragedy, he made a quick assessment; and, he landed his jet on the waters of the Hudson River.  His heroic efforts made him a household name.

Even though he attended the Air Force Academy, his actions remind me of the Army Cadet Prayer:  Make us to choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong, and never to be content with a half truth when the whole can be won.

The disciplined life that Sully developed as a cadet, was on display on that cold January day of 2009.   Each of our military academies provide a daily regimen that builds the type of character and integrity that defines Captain Sullenberger.

The absence of character and the decline of morals was the focus of study by the Institue for American Values:  If a central task of every generation is moral transmission, religion is a primary force in American life — historically, it has probably been the primary force — that transmits from one generation to another the moral understandings that are essential to liberal democratic institutions. Religion is especially suited to this task because it focuses our minds and hearts on obligations to each other that arise out of our shared createdness. By elevating our sights toward others and toward ultimate concerns, religious institutions help us turn away from self-centeredness . . .

I’ve been told that character is an Old English word that comes from the print shop and means the mark left behind.  Schettino or Sullenberger, what mark defines your name?

Here’s a thought to keep you thinking:  A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold (Proverbs 22:1).