Your Perceived Effort...RPE PT. I
What is RPE? Technically it is s term used by athletes in training. It’s a monitoring of your exertion within interval of your workout for improved and maximum performance. As I was researching this. The Holy spirit began to talk to me about our RPE. Rate of Perceived Effort or Real Potential Effort.
Today many of our churches are more about being indoctrinated with someone else’s beliefs and not my own based on facts of the scripture. I have had the experience of dialoguing and learning from some amazing people in my sixty plus years, however my novice years as a believer came with a great deal stress because every church I visited had a different interpretation of the truth of Christ. The same held true when I was trying to be physically fit. Everyone one had the perfect workout solution. I had to learn my body and what works for me. I had to learn to hear and understand through the Holy Spirit and dispel false conceptions and understanding about the basis upon which this gospel message had become, sadly only to be told that I do not understand how things have changed. The basic problem, however, is that while some things change, the basis of our foundation, our personal foundation as a Christian, cannot be allowed to change. It’s like the 3 R’s… Read’n, Rite’n and Rithmatic. They do not change, no matter how much the world changes around them. And so, it is with God’s 3 R’s… Repentance, Reconciliation and Regeneration.
Point to Ponder before we move further: Why does the bible encourage us to study to show ourselves approved unto God?
Answer: In charging Timothy with ‘rightly dividing the word of truth,’ Paul brings out the fact that God’s Word must be read and studied, ‘here a little and there a little’ (Isaiah 28:9-10). All Scriptures to a given concept must be consulted, to avoid reaching a wrong conclusion. The Word of Truth must be taught honestly, while nothing is to be added or deleted. In dividing or ‘cutting straight’ God’s Word, error and false interpretations are being cut off. As Paul admonished Timothy to preach God’s Word ‘in season and out of season’ (compare again 2 Timothy 4:2), and not to be ‘ashamed of the testimony of our Lord’ and the gospel (2 Timothy 1:8), so Paul also did not shun ‘to declare… the whole counsel of God’ (Acts 20:27).”
The word “orthotomeō” Strong’s meaning “‘rightly dividing’ can be understood as follows: ‘To cut straight, to cut straight ways. To proceed on straight paths, hold a straight course, equivalent to doing right. To make straight and smooth, to handle aright, to teach the truth directly and correctly.’”
The Bible clearly says in 2 Timothy 3:16-17: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” Not indoctrinated. We are clearly told that Jesus prayed that His disciples would be set apart by the Truth of God. They would be able to rightly divide the word of Truth. We must also realize that the Bible, in its original form, is the Word of Truth. There are no contradictions; otherwise, the Bible could not be trusted.
“Study to show thyself approved unto God – Give diligence or make an effort so to discharge the duties of the ministerial office as to meet the divine approbation. The object of the ministry is not to please men. Such doctrines should be preached, and such plans formed, and such a manner of life pursued, as God will approve. To do this demands study or care – for there are many temptations of the world with tendency of which is to lead a Christian to seek popular favor rather than the divine approval. If any man please God, it will be as the result of deliberate intention and a careful life.”
As mentioned, this admonition applies to all members of God’s Church. We all must be diligent in discharging our individual duties and responsibilities—whatever they may be.
“…to show yourself approved unto God.” In Matthew 25:23 we read: “His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’” This is part of Christ’s teaching in the parable of the talents and must be our aim in life. We must remember that our calling now is the only opportunity that we will have, and we must make it fully count as there is not a second chance for anyone. “… a workman who does not need to be ashamed.” This must be our goal. In 2 Timothy 2:12, we are told that if “If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He will also deny us.” That is a stark warning for us to do the right thing. Timothy was given the task of reminding them “of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers” (2 Timothy 2:14). God will surely be pleased when we take His Word seriously and rightly divide the Word of Truth. While ministers are to preach the Word of God in season and out of season (2 Timothy 4:2), we all have the responsibility to answer those with meekness and fear who ask us regarding the hope that is in us (compare 1 Peter 3:15). In 1 Timothy 4:16, a warning is given: “Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.”
“… rightly dividing the Word of Truth.” The word “rightly dividing” means “to rightly cut, to cut straight.”
Deuteronomy 12:32 states: ““Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it.”
Revelation 22:19 adds: “… and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.”
We also read in Mark 7:13 about those who are “making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things that you do.” This follows on from verse 7, which reads: “And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”
It should be further added that in Romans 8:9 & 14 we read that “if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.” In order to obtain the Holy Spirit, we need to repent, believe and be baptized (see Acts 2:38). God only gives the Holy Spirit to those who obey Him (see Acts 5:32). It follows that those who are not obedient to God will not receive His Holy Spirit and, therefore, will not be able to properly divide the Word of Truth. Even those who might be called by God and who are on their way towards baptism must be careful not to reject or second-guess the teachings of God’s Church, which is the foundation and the pillar of the Truth (2 Timothy 3:15), and to replace them with their own personal opinions.
Selah! You Do not want to miss Part Two.