April 28, 2025
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in Joshua and 2 Timothy? Here’s today’s reading:
2 Timothy 2 (NIV)
The Appeal Renewed
1 You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. 3 Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.……Continue Reading
Paul uses several great examples of our life in Christ to open this chapter; a soldier, an athlete, and a farmer all examples of strong, hardworking people that do not run away when things get hard but rather press on. He wants us to see the importance of perseverance, and to receive understanding from God in all things. The importance of staying focused on what is important and putting aside the things of this world including our own petty things like pride, insecurity, and gossip. It is so easy to become our own worst enemy when we are too focused on what people think and not about what God thinks. So we must be like gentle servants for God with the heart and zeal like a soldier, athlete, or farmer to be more like Jesus every day.
Joshua 16 and 17
2 Timothy 2
2 Timothy 2
2 Timothy 2
Paul shares some parables of his own to continue to instruct Timothy about the diligence by which he should serve as well as the right focus to have when doing so. It is all about pleasing the Lord and keeping his focus on Him. Paul is going through hard times, but the gospel is not. An important reminder as we face opposition that the gospel of Jesus moves forward. It is important to recognize in the stanza that Paul shares, that the disowning is in terms of rewards, not relationship. And that the security of our relationship with God is affirmed in verse 13. There are those who look to corrupt the faith of Christ but we must choose to stay strong in it, but also to live a lifestyle that reflects the power of God in our lives and the reality of our faith. We are to flee the desires that are opposed to God and embrace those things that God supports and regards. We should be patient with those who are on a wrong path, but not let them keep us from remaining on the right path.
When we pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, we are busy doing the things of the Lord with those who have pure hearts. We don’t have the time to engage in foolish and petty arguments, malicious gossip,that create resentment, and bitterness towards others. When our minds begin to judge, analyze and assess others, stop it quickly so that it doesn’t grow into something that is destructive. In many cases, our assumpitons about people are inaccurate. Rather pray for them and move on, doing the things that please God.
2 Timothy 2
”Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.“
II Timothy 2:15 NKJV
I was thinking of the contrast in this chapter of focused “work”, set on a goal and not distracted – soldier, athlete, farmer pursuing righteousness, faith and love vs. the distraction of idle talk.
”Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.“
II Timothy 2:15 NKJV
”But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.“
II Timothy 2:23 NKJV