Tag: 2nd Timothy 3
Pay attention to the Holy Scriptures!
Scripture reading for October 5th: 2nd Timothy 3
Key Scriptures for over-comers: 2nd Timothy 3: 12-17 “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have know the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. all Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
Paul did not pamper Timothy with smooth words or flattery. He told him straight out that persecution would follow all who lived a godly life in Christ. The world would not get progressively better, but would get worse! This would require a strong commitment to live by faith in the word of God that had been taught by godly believers in Timothy’s life. The Holy Scriptures provide the sound foundation of faith in Christ Jesus needed to over-come the terrible times of the last day! They equip the disciple of Jesus to do the good work prepared for them by the Holy Spirit.
Observations for over-comers: Over-comers esteem God’s word and those godly teachers who instructed them. “The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.” (Psalm 19:7-8)
The godly will suffer persecution!
Scripture reading for October 6th: 2nd Timothy 3
“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God–having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.” (2nd Timothy 3:1-5) Paul impressed on Timothy and upon us the coming difficult times. These times would be difficult because of the rising rebellion against God and godliness. Some of this would come from those calling themselves ‘Christians’ but living like the world. Sin would abound and believers must live holy lives in spite of the culture of rampant rebellion. They must separate from those in the church who have only a form of godliness but live without power.
“You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings–. . Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.” (2nd Timothy 3:10-13) Paul pointed to his own life and present experience of suffering in jail to remind Timothy and us that the godly will suffer persecution. This would increase in the last days and believers and ministers should prepare themselves and the church to stand firm. Jesus Christ would rescue them and promises ultimate victory!
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2nd Timothy 3:16-17) The word of God was the primary instrument to equip the minister and the church!