Rightly Dividing The Word of Truth in 2026

I am writing this article on the last day of the year of our Lord 2025. Like many of you, I am reflecting on many things that have transpired over the course of the year. Today is also the deadline to submit an article to historyunioncounty.com if one wishes it to be published in the monthly printed version of the Historic Union County “old fashioned” paper. Captain Obvious would say that would be the January 2026 edition! As part of my personal reflection about my walk with Jesus Christ, I want to remind myself of the goal for these articles I am privileged to write. The overarching goal of these articles is to lift up the name of Jesus (See John 3:14-16; John 12:30-34).

Back in 2019, when I was first asked to write for Historic Union County, it was easy to pick a theme verse for my articles. All I had to do was use the same verse I had dedicated myself to when my elders at Church chose me to be a Sunday School teacher. That verse is 2 Timothy 2:15, which ends with the phrase “rightly dividing the word of truth”. Our first article and every article thereafter have been centered on how to “rightly divide” or interpret what we Christians call the Bible.

Again, as part of my personal reflection on my journey with Jesus, I am going to list a few basic guidelines I use for interpreting the Bible.

Look for how the Bible text points to Jesus
Context matters
The Bible interprets the Bible (see Luke 24: especially 27-53)
The Bible is literature
Know the type of literature a Bible author is using (Luke 24:44)
When men’s opinions differ, meditate on God’s Word (Psalm 1:2)
Wait and Pray in the Spirit (Luke 24:49)

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.