Daily Bread 2011 - 2 Timothy 3
Paul’s Charge to Timothy
10 You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, 11 persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. 12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
What Does This Mean?
Paul realizes that as Timothy sets about accomplishing the task that he had entrusted to him there would be opposition. Paul surely knew about persecution and suffering, and he states that anyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. It is not if, but when. Paul reaffirms that though he will face trouble, like a good soldier, he has been equipped for the battle.
Paul gives a three-fold prescription for Timothy’s confidence. He says “continue in what you have learned”, “have become convinced of”, “because you know from whom you learned it”. Timothy has been discipled, he has learned how to follow Jesus and his commands. And in “living out” his faith he has become convinced of the truth of this way of life. Finally, he is in relationship with the people who he learned it from. (I.e. his mom, grandmom and Paul).
Of course the chief weapon we have for the fight, is knowledge the Holy Scriptures, which Timothy grew up learning (what a great model for us today!). Paul reminds Timothy that Scripture is “inspired” (or literally “God-breathed”), and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. And the purpose of the Word is that we may be fully equipped to do the things we have been called to do.
What Does This Mean For Us?
First of all if you are reading this, you are already obeying what Paul is saying to Timothy. You are being equipped each time you open the bible and reflect on what God is saying to you through it. As you respond to God’s word, you will be fully equipped to everything that befalls you in this life.
As we face battles in our lives, the Scripture reminds us that the “battle in is the Lord’s”, and, in fact. the battle has already been won. The bible also reminds us that we have been given God’s authority and power as we live obedience to God’s commands. The power of God’s Word as evidenced in Jesus’ life, death and resurrection is available to every believer in the power of the Holy Spirit.
The reason I do this daily devotional is so that I can equip as many of you as possible (and myself) with the words of life that are true, inspired directly from God, and will lead you to life of maximum impact on the world around us until Jesus calls us home.
Father, thank you for Your inspired Word. Thank you for sending Jesus the Word made flesh to show us how to live a life that brings you much glory. As we read your Word each day equip us for every battle we face with the words of eternal life. Amen.
10 You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, 11 persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. 12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
What Does This Mean?
Paul realizes that as Timothy sets about accomplishing the task that he had entrusted to him there would be opposition. Paul surely knew about persecution and suffering, and he states that anyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. It is not if, but when. Paul reaffirms that though he will face trouble, like a good soldier, he has been equipped for the battle.
Paul gives a three-fold prescription for Timothy’s confidence. He says “continue in what you have learned”, “have become convinced of”, “because you know from whom you learned it”. Timothy has been discipled, he has learned how to follow Jesus and his commands. And in “living out” his faith he has become convinced of the truth of this way of life. Finally, he is in relationship with the people who he learned it from. (I.e. his mom, grandmom and Paul).
Of course the chief weapon we have for the fight, is knowledge the Holy Scriptures, which Timothy grew up learning (what a great model for us today!). Paul reminds Timothy that Scripture is “inspired” (or literally “God-breathed”), and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. And the purpose of the Word is that we may be fully equipped to do the things we have been called to do.
What Does This Mean For Us?
First of all if you are reading this, you are already obeying what Paul is saying to Timothy. You are being equipped each time you open the bible and reflect on what God is saying to you through it. As you respond to God’s word, you will be fully equipped to everything that befalls you in this life.
As we face battles in our lives, the Scripture reminds us that the “battle in is the Lord’s”, and, in fact. the battle has already been won. The bible also reminds us that we have been given God’s authority and power as we live obedience to God’s commands. The power of God’s Word as evidenced in Jesus’ life, death and resurrection is available to every believer in the power of the Holy Spirit.
The reason I do this daily devotional is so that I can equip as many of you as possible (and myself) with the words of life that are true, inspired directly from God, and will lead you to life of maximum impact on the world around us until Jesus calls us home.
Father, thank you for Your inspired Word. Thank you for sending Jesus the Word made flesh to show us how to live a life that brings you much glory. As we read your Word each day equip us for every battle we face with the words of eternal life. Amen.
Comments
Post a Comment