The Way - Day 168 (2 Timothy 2)

Pastor Tom's Journal on Today's Reading:
2 TIMOTHY 2:1-2
Paul writes in 2 Timothy 2:1-2 about what I believe to be one of the weaknesses of the modern-day church...training leaders from the next generation. Paul gives Timothy clear instructions on what he is to do with the truths of Scripture: "...the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also" (2:2). The concept of spiritual reproduction is simple, yet we somehow miss it. The pastor or spiritual leaders of the church are responsible to take the truth they have been given (from the Word of God) and teach it to others. Paul had taught Timothy the truths of Scripture and now Timothy was to teach others in the church at Ephesus who would in turn teach other men. This idea of coming to church every week, listening to the message, and walking away with no action is not what Paul intended. We should willingly receive the truths of Scripture, obey God's commands, and then encourage others to obey Him also. If the current generation fails to challenge the next generation to obey God, eventually our society will become godless. Parents have a responsibility to pass on the truth to their children, pastors have a responsibility to pass on the truth to their congregation, men have a responsibility to pass on the truth to other men, women have a responsibility to pass on the truth to other women, and students have a responsibility to pass on the truth to their friends. The list could continue but you get the idea - God has given mature Christians the mandate to pass on the truth. Before you think this is just an exchange of information, let me also remind you that the truth must also be demonstrated in lifestyle. The truth of God's word is just information until we do something with it. God did not mean for us to know all the facts and memorize a bunch of verses, but He intended that the way we think and act be changed. As you have been entrusted with the truth of Scripture, pass it on through instruction and demonstration. When we take this command seriously, it will change the generation to follow.

2 TIMOTHY 2:3-13
Through the end of chapter 2, Paul provides a pattern of the man of God. Using several understandable illustrations, Paul compares the consistent Christian life to a soldier (2:3-4), an athlete (2:5), a farmer (2:6-7), the life of Jesus Christ (2:8-13), a worker (2:14-19), a vessel (2:20-23), and a servant (2:24-26). Today we will look at the first four illustrations. First, Paul compares the man of God to a soldier. Living the Christian life is easily compared to a battle because the follower of Christ is engaged in warfare against Satan and his evil system of values and beliefs. During the time of Paul's writing, the church was experiencing severe persecution and could likely identify with war. Paul wanted to remind Timothy (and the church) that he was involved in battle and not to allow the actions of the world to cause him to quit (2:3-4). Next, Paul illustrates the faithful Christian life by comparing it to an athlete who "competes according to the rules" (2:5). Scripture is the "rulebook" of life and believers must read and obey it in order to compete properly. In verse 7 Paul illustrates the character of the man of God by examining a farmer. Farmers are universally recognized as hard workers who faithfully do their job with the hope of future harvest. The follower of Christ should not be lazy but rather carry out the work to which God has called him knowing that in the end his work will be rewarded. Of course, Jesus Christ is the best example of a man of God because He became God in human flesh and perfectly lived out the Christian life (2:8-13). Jesus was raised from the dead (2:8) after having suffered death for the sake of sinners. Now Paul was faithful to also preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and he desired Timothy to follow in his steps. Let us never become discouraged to the point of quitting but pray that God gives us strength to fight as the soldier, obey the rules as the athlete, work hard as the farmer, and strive to live holy as Jesus.

2 TIMOTHY 2:14-26
Paul had already used four illustrations to describe the character of the man of God. In the first part of chapter 2 Paul compared the faithful follower of Christ to a soldier (2:3-4), an athlete (2:5), a farmer (2:6-7), and also the perfect example of Jesus Christ (2:8-13). Today, we will take a look at his comparisons with a worker (2:14-19), a vessel (2:20-23), and a servant (2:24-26). First of all, the worker in the kingdom of God is called to abstain from senseless arguing with false teachers (2:14). Timothy, no doubt, had many confrontations with false teachers who were attempting to deceive the church at Ephesus into accepting another gospel, but Paul challenged Timothy not to waste his words on them. Instead, Timothy should "be diligent to present yourself [himself] approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2:15). A man of God should spend more time studying, understanding, and communicating Scripture rather than debating doctrine with false teachers (2:16). Paul even mentioned specific false teachers (Hymenaeus and Philetus) who had spread an erroneous message and confused those in the church (2:17-19). Paul also uses an illustration of vessels of gold/silver and wood/clay. The gold and silver vessels served a greater purpose than the vessels of wood and clay. Gold and silver vessels are used to serve family and guests while wood and clay vessels were used to dispose of trash. A man of God should seek to be a vessel of gold and silver which symbolizes usefulness in the hands of God for His purposes (2:21). We remain useful to God when we continue in the truth and live a life of obedience to His word. Paul challenges Timothy to "flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart" (2:22). The last illustration is a servant (2:24-26). "A servant of the Lord must not quarrel, but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition...so that they may know the truth..." (2:24-25). In these illustrations, Paul was urging Timothy to be focused like a worker, clean as a usable vessel, and humble as a servant. Leaders must lead with passion, with purpose, and with purity.

Dear God, help me to be a leader with character and integrity that I may share the gospel with boldness.