Why must we rightly divide the Bible?

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

We are told in 2 Timothy 2:15 that the Bible is to be "rightly divided". Therefore there are divisions in the Bible that God wants us to acknowledge. Contrary to popular opinion, this is not a minor issue. This issue of studying the Bible rightly divided is one that will make our service for God "approved" or unapproved at the Judgement Seat of Christ after the rapture.

The Judgement Seat of Christ is one of the main focuses of the Christian life. Look at what Paul has to say about the Judgement Seat of Christ....

1 Corinthians 3:
[9] For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
[10] According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
[11] For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
[12] Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
[13] Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
[14] If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
[15] If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

Romans 14:
[8] For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.
[9] For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.
[10] But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
[11] For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
[12] So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

The Judgement Seat of Christ is where the Lord let's every Christian know what He thinks of their service for Him. If you believe that you have a great ministry that is well pleasing to the Lord, He will let you know if that is true at the Judgement Seat of Christ.

[ This judgment is not about sin in the believer's life, it is about service. God already judged our sins at the cross, we in our standing in Christ have no sin (Rom. 4:6-8, Col. 2:11, 1 John 3:9). Our sins are covered by the blood of Christ (Acts 13:38-39, Eph. 1:6-7, Col. 1:14, 2:10-13, 1 John 1:7, Rev. 1:5). God's judgment on sin (for the believer) took place at the cross (2 Cor. 5:14-21). ]

Therefore "rightly dividing the word of truth" is going to be central in our Christian life if we want our service approved at the Judgement Seat of Christ. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Part 2 coming soon