Let Him Who Boasts Boast In This"--Knowing God, Studying God's Word, Knowing God's Truth, and Serving God's People
Albert Mohler
Monday, January 23, 2006

Thus says the Lord: "Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord."Jeremiah 9:23-24

The life of the preacher is a life of study, and it has been so from the very beginning. The Apostle Paul instructed Timothy to study so that he could present himself to God as an approved worker, "a worker who has no need to be ashamed" [2 Timothy 2:15]. This instruction came within the context of Timothy's call as a preacher and teacher of God's Word, and Paul's instruction to Timothy is our Lord's instruction to all who would preach and teach the Word of God.

A word of honesty is necessary at this point. Any honest assessment of the contemporary church would indicate that vast numbers of ministers serving Christ's church are derelict in this duty. They are intellectually lazy, biblically illiterate, slothful in their study habits, and they often steal the learning of others in order to hide their own disobedience. This is a scandal that robs the congregation of the learned and faithful ministry the people of God so desperately need and deserve. The rest