Paul uses the examples of the focus and perseverance of an athlete, a soldier and a farmer in encouraging Timothy to stay true to the rigours of the faith. He wants Timothy to endure with courage and honor the suffering and hardships of the faith so he can reap a harvest when it is time.
Paul uses his own life of faith as a good example to Timothy, "Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David--that is my gospel, for which I suffer hardship, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, so that they may also obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory." 2 Timothy 2:8-10 NRSV. It must be nice to be able to say "live like me".
Paul then points out some who have fallen away as an example of the pitfalls and dangers in the Christian faith. "Avoid profane chatter, for it will lead people into more and more impiety, and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have swerved from the truth by claiming that the resurrection has already taken place. They are upsetting the faith of some." 2 Timothy 2:16-18 NRSV.
"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by him, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15 NRSV. This seems to be the central theme of this chapter if not the entire epistle. Be faithful to the Word and to your call. This is the good advice I will lean into today.
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4 comments:
Hey There! We got to go to Aldersgate this weekend for a Friend's Camp reunion and we saw your son Ben and his fiancee. Congratulations - you guys must be excited! We had a lot of fun.
Sara and I talked in the beginning of this chapter about how there were athletes back then - I guess you just don't think about those things! Bet they were even stronger back then!
Faith like an athlete - that really is a good analogy. Working hard at our faith will definitely be beneficial in time.
The bible I was reading said "cancer" instead of gangrene. Surprising that they changed the whole disease. Yeah, you don't want people to be spreading rumors or talking about bad things - especially when they are about the faith or anything like that.
So if you keep yourself in good heart, as the person Jesus wants you to be, it will help you to be an instrument for him. It certainly seems worthwhile - all this trying to do good things must be for something, right? :-P
Sometimes it does feel like you try so hard to do things good and nothing becomes of it, but it does feel right! God knows, and he certainly cares.
I hope to never fall away, but you know I've seen so many friends give their lives to Christ and then they turn to other things instead. This world can certainly suck you in.
Let us hold fast and remain with Jesus.
Talk to you soon! So glad to stay connected!
Marshall
Hey Marshall,
Glad you saw Ben and Danielle, they are excited to be engaged, but they are taking their time. not like his father who wanted to get married the month after i met Shari! I waited a year, but only because she made me!
The question about falling away is a great one. fellowship is the answer I think. We need eachother to stay connected and to buld this life together. alone, we may be vulnerable, but together we are quite a force! I have 2 great covenant groups I attend where accountability and friendship are practiced. I need those men around me!
I hope someday that we live close enough that we could do that in person, but we kind of get a flavor of it here!
See you soon brother,
Bill
Wow, that's great. Thanks Bill. We ititially said 2 years - but we ended up not liking the date...haha.
It was great to see them too! It's been a while.
Fellowship is huge, and that's why I'm so glad I have it. I try to encourage the kids in my Sunday school class to be encouraged with the fellowship that is offered there. I think they do understand it a little bit.
Thanks again.
Marsh
I like the verse about not getting involved in stupid and senseless controversies. Certainly something we seem to have issue with in the church! We'd all do better sometimes to stop arguing about what is clearly in the realm of stupid and senseless!
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