2 Tim 1 — Greeting, Guard the Deposit Entrusted to You
2 Tim 2 — Good Soldier of Jesus Christ, Worker Approved by God
Thoughts about serving others
This link includes a list of posts about Serving the Least, the Lost, and the Lonely.
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Let the Word evoke words. May your life encourage lives.
Paul’s second letter to Timothy is written during a difficult time, near the end of his life, while in oppressive captivity by Nero. Paul is suffering and “chained like a criminal” (2 Timothy 1:16 & 2:9), feeling abandoned since all have apparently deserted him (1:15). I suspect they weren’t able to attend to Paul as before, this captivity was much more harsh than previously. Still, Paul focuses more on preaching and teaching than he does on his predicament…something I pray I can appreciate!
“This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time” (1:9) reminds us all that God is alive and well and working his plan of salvation for all who would listen and accept Jesus. Lord help me to “keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus” (1:13) and help me to “guard the good deposit that was entrusted to” us all, to “guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us” (1:14).
Paul’s advice in chapter 2 provides strong practical examples:
1. Serve like a good soldier who avoids getting entangled in civilian affairs (2:4),
2. Act like an athlete that competes fairly by respecting the rules (2:5), and
3. Be like a farmer who works hard (2:6).
Here, Paul tells us what we should focus on today: “Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this” (2:7). Lord help me to stay focused on the mission for which you have called me, to play by the rules and to work harder than anyone else. Give me the resiliency to persevere even when it defies the logic of this present age.
Once again, Paul reminds us to avoid those who simply want to argue, “Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful” (2:23-24). No doubt Paul was involved in many heated debates, but these are different from foolish and stupid arguments. It’s a trap to be sure, one laid for us to fall into, but with God’s help we will discern the difference between one who is seeking truth and one who is simply being argumentative. This discernment can only come from the Holy Spirit since we know our battle is in the spiritual realm. “Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil” (2:25-26a). Lord, teach me how to gently instruct those who have serious questions, who are actually trying to understand. Show me how to move someone away from Satan, “who has taken them captive to do his will” (2:26b). Use me Lord, wherever I may be.