2 Corinthians Chapter 11: Verse 6 (NIV)
I may indeed be untrained as a speaker, but I do have knowledge. We have made this perfectly clear to you in every way.
2 Timothy Chapter 1: Verse 12 (NIV)
That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.
2 Peter Chapter 1: Verses 5-8 (NIV)
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
In his first letter to the Corinthian Church, Paul taught them that everyone has different gifts as the Holy Spirit gifts them. In this verse he tells them that although he is untrained as a speaker, he does know what he is talking about. Indeed, he tells Timothy also that he knows well the One that he has put his trust in. That’s the most important thing of all! Not everyone is intended to be a public speaker or teacher, but we should make every effort to get to know the One we have put our trust in, and His teaching, so that we can speak with confidence about our faith when asked, even if its only ever on a one-to-one basis.
We can all waffle about things we are not really familiar with, that we might only know a little about, and it shows when we do. If we are not confident in Christ and His teaching, how can we expect people to believe what we are saying? Also, if we don’t practice what we preach, in the sense of living out our lives in accordance with Christ’s teaching, then people will see that too. That’s why how we live is just as important as what we say. There are many Bible verses encouraging us to seek wisdom and knowledge with regard to the ways of God. We are encouraged to ask for that. In possessing that, alongside the other qualities that Paul encourages Timothy to cultivate, we will be effective and productive for God. Not because we are anything special but because we have taken the time to get to know Him, and what He requires of us. Isn’t that how we develop a good relationship with anyone, so of course that’s what God wants with us to.
Dear Lord,
Thank You that if we are willing to be obedient, You give us all that we need to do what You require of us. But there are also times when You expect us to make the effort to learn what we need and to correctly be able to handle Your Word. I am glad that I too can say with Paul, that I know whom I have believed, but I know that by spending time with You I can get to know You even better. So help me to make the effort to add those things to my faith that will make me an effective ambassador for You. I pray in Jesus’ Name. Amen.