Wednesday, June 26, 2019

My A.U.G. degree

A few weeks ago I did a presentation at my regular Bible study group at a local assisted living facility to which those who attended had an exceptionally good response.  So good, in fact, that several times since then they have asked me to write it out for them to share with their families!  Although that response is gratifying to me, I am humbled that such a simple presentation as I gave that day had such a big impact on them!  I think it inspired them to think about the value of the Word of God to our everyday lives.

This week I sat down and wrote out a simplified version of what I said in my presentation.  I'll make some copies to take to them this coming Sunday afternoon when I go for my next Bible study with them, but I decided to put my newly-written, as yet unedited, version here on my blog as well.



DO YOU HAVE YOUR A.U.G. DEGREE?
By Jo Ann Rhodes

II Timothy 2:15
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to   
     be ashamed   (New International Version)
(The King James Version puts it this way: Study to show thyself approved unto God, a
     workman that needeth not to be ashamed)

This verse tells us about a graduation of sorts.  Just what is “graduation?”  We usually think of it mainly in terms of completion of a course of study, but it can also apply to any situation in which we are ready to move on to a new level of life or experience, whether it is school or work-related.  In either case, it is a matter of being ready to move on to the next level.

What are the requirements of graduation, as for graduating from high school?  According to the state Department of Education, two main requirements are: 1) completing certain courses of study, and 2) passing an examination that proves that you have adequately learned the lessons you have studied.

There are several ways in which this study and graduation are very similar to our spiritual lives as well.  Our entire life is our course of study for our “graduation” to the “next level” of life, our eternal destiny, heaven for those who have committed their lives to Jesus Christ as their Savior.  As God’s children, we are working on our A.U.G. degree!  2 Timothy 2:15 tells us we are to study to show ourselves “APPROVED UNTO GOD.”

The word “study” in this verse means to “do your best”, “be diligent.”  Note that this verse does not say that we are to study in order to be approved by God!  It is not the studying that gives us salvation.  “He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.” (Titus 3:5)  No, our studying is living a life that honors God.  Our course of study for our graduation to heaven is our life experiences.   Each time we have an experience where we learn another step in loving God or trusting Him, or entrusting our lives and concerns into His hands, it’s like taking another course in that subject.

What are the courses that are requirements for graduation?  Here again, we see a beautiful parallel between studying for graduation from high school and our spiritual study in preparation for what lies beyond this life on earth.  We can learn some valuable lessons for our spiritual “study” by looking at the course requirements from the Department of Education.

ENGLISH AND LANGUAGE ARTS
By studying God’s literature (the Bible), we learn what pleases God and that in turn equips us for living our lives in a way that pleases God.
     All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and
     training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for
     every good work. ~ I Tim.3:16-17
      
MATHEMATICS
God uses this short life on earth to help us prepare for eternity.
     Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. ~ Psalm 90:12   

 SCIENCE
 God, who created the vast universe as well as this earth and all of us, loves us as
 individuals and cares for us, and provided a way of salvation from our sins.
     When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which
     you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings
    that you care for them? ~ Psalm 8:3-4
 
HISTORY
God never changes so what we learn of Him from the Bible, which was written hundreds of years ago, is still true today.  
     Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. ~ Hebrews 13:8

ECONOMICS
The most important thing we do during our lives on earth is to put into our heavenly savings account by remembering that our most important investments are spiritual investments.
     Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, 
     and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven,
    where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.    
    For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. ~ Matt. 6:19-21
             
GOVERNMENT/CIVICS
It is our responsibility to support our authorities in prayer and honesty, whether or not we agree with them.
     I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and           thanksgiving be made
     for all people—  for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and
     quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  This is good, and pleases God our Savior.
     ~ 1 Timothy 2:1-2
     Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s. ~ Matt. 22:21
   
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
     Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in
     such a way as to get the prize.  Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict
     training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that
     will last forever. ~ 1 Corinthians 9:24-25
     Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let            us throw off 
     everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.  And let us run with  
     perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus. ~ Heb. 12:1-2

We are to study, i.e., do our best, be diligent, and work hard to learn what God wants us to learn during our lifetime.  2 Timothy 2:15 tells us that if we do that, when we “graduate” and stand before God we will not be ashamed.  We will not be ashamed because we will have trusted in Jesus for our forgiveness of sin and our salvation, and we will not be ashamed because we will have studied our courses diligently so God could teach us during our time here on earth.   We will have our A.U.G. degree!

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