The Way - Day 169 (2 Timothy 3)

Pastor Tom's Journal on Today's Reading:
2 TIMOTHY 3:1-9
Paul wanted to remind Timothy that he was living in the "last days." In this passage, the last days simply point to the time following Jesus' life here on earth; in other words, we are currently living in the last days before Christ will return in the clouds to remove all Christians from the earth to be with Him. Some refer to the time we are living in as the church age, which implies that the church is responsible to spread the message of Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection for sin. Whatever we label it, we are living in the last days before God will pour out His wrath upon those who reject salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ. An explanation is given to Timothy as to what he can expect in the last days. "In the last days perilous times will come: for men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!" (3:3-5). The implication is clear - these characteristics will become worse as time goes on and will define the lives of the people within the culture. This extensive list is frightening when you compare it to the world around us. What is even more alarming is that these character points are defining people who profess a relationship with Jesus Christ. Paul warns Timothy to stay away from anyone who manifests these characteristics because they have a tendency to be vulnerable to the deception of false teachers (3:6-9). Let us be completely aware of the dangerous times we live in and guard against allowing these attitudes.

2 TIMOTHY 3:10-17
Timothy had been facing a lot of pressure from false teachers, haters of Christians, and immature people in the church. It seems that Paul is writing to Timothy in order to challenge him not to quit the ministry. Paul is quick to remind Timothy that he had seen him undergo persecution, but the Lord had delivered him and provided the strength to endure (3:10-11). "All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution" (3:12). Even though the false teachers and evil men continue to "grow worse and worse" Timothy was to "continue in the things which he had learned and been assured of...that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus" (3:14-15). Timothy had been taught Scripture from a young age giving him a solid foundation of faith in God. Paul as well as Timothy's family invested much time into teaching him the word of God so that he would become a committed follower of Jesus Christ. A huge emphasis is placed on the strength and power of Scripture. Paul writes what I believe to be some of the most important words in the Bible: "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness..." (3:16). All words in Scripture are inspired, meaning they are God-breathed. So, when Scripture speaks, God speaks (MacArthur Study Bible). This gives the words value and meaning because they are God's words to human beings. Paul then shows Timothy the value of Scripture - it is profitable for doctrine (what is right), for reproof (what is wrong), for correction (how to get it right), and instruction in righteousness (how to keep it right). In other words, Scripture has all the answers to living and enduring the life to which God has called us. To be a man of God, a man must be a man of the Word. Paul goes on to point out the result of being a man of the Word - "that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work" (3:17). I'm not exactly sure if Timothy had been ignoring the word of God as a result of his ongoing persecution and stress, but it seems as if Paul is urging him to rediscover the power of Scripture in order to become a man of good works. I firmly believe that Scripture is one of the key elements in living a holy life. Ignoring the word of God will leave a person full of their own opinions, ideals, philosophies, and viewpoints but allowing Scripture to influence our daily life will provide the capability to do the will of God.

Dear God, I love Your word. Help me to consistently spend time allowing it to change me into the person You desire me to become.