January 10, 2024
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 2 Timothy? Here’s today’s reading:
2 Timothy 4 (NIV)
1 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.……Continue Reading
2 Tim 4:2: Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.
Following up on 2 Tim 3:16, Paul again emphasizes the importance of being in the Word, making it clear that if we are to teach, to exhort, to encourage, to rebuke, to correct…whatever we do, it better be rooted in the Word, and it should be done with complete patience and teachings (echoing Peter’s exhortation to always be ready to give a defense for the hope that is within us, but to do so with “gentleness and respect” 1 Peter 3:15)
James emphasizes the importance of HOW we engage with the Word as well… James 1:19 “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”
I know I can struggle with patience, gentleness, and being slow to speak…but God continues to work in me and remind me that it is all HIS work…for His good pleasure. I am too quick to become too concerned with the outcomes of my efforts, rather than simply thanking God for the reality that I am His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which He prepared beforehand, that I might walk in them.
I have found Living Hope to be a church family full of people who love God and love one another, and are gentle and respectful in their conduct, starting from the shepherd Pastor Peter on down, and I am thankful that God guided me and my family here!
Thanks Sean, and we are glad that you and Meghan found us as well!
2 Timothy 4
Paul makes it clear how important it was for Timothy to preach the Bible so it could spread throughout the world and we need to be as faithful as Timothy was in sharing the Good news. We need to serve God in every situation. Don’t be pulled away by the world and the worldly desires. Stand for the truth, Paul could say in the end that he was confident that he would be rewarded for his fight for Christ , and he was encouraging Timothy to keep fighting for the truth because when he is with Christ he will see it was all worth it. It’s the same for us but we need to do or I know I have to do better in sharing the Gospel.
Paul is encouraging Timothy to continually preach the word for there will come a time when people will not want to hear the word but will rather listen to false teachers who will make them feel good about themselves and therefore live in their sins. They will not want to be convicted of their sin. This has happened through much of history but it is happening now more than ever. Even in Christian churches. And so many other churches that don`t preach the gospel at all but a feel good Christianity. There are even Christian churches that preach the death and resurrection but pick and choose want is the word of God and don`t hold to the foundation which is Genesis chapters 1 -11. Which is what God says about the 6 days of creation, origin of man`s sin. marriage only between a man and woman, death, the flood of Noah worldwide, only one race the human race, the tower of Babel where God confused the languages, the trinity of Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit , even the promise given in Gen. 3;15 where Christ would die. And so much more. For sin happened because of the first Adam and by the second Adam [ Christ] many were made alive or freed from sin. We need to hold to the whole word of God for they are inspired by God with out error. Not just portions of it. 2 Timothy 3;16,17. Where do people get off thinking they know more than God. Science actually confirms the Bible. And why wouldn`t it for God was there from the beginning and wrote this love letter to us. God bless us as we study the whole word of God.
“But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength”
Imagine Paul and all he had been through speaking such words! I think of all the times I have felt alone or discouraged when facing a mere fraction of the troubles Paul had seen and forget that God was there by my side giving me strength. It was not by my own might I have and continue to face the struggles and trials of this life but rather Him standing with me many time carrying me! For this I will continue to speak of His goodness, His mercy, His love, and His salvation for no one should go through this life wthout Him by their side!
2 Timothy 4
Paul outlines what we should be doing when Christ returns.
Christ will come to judge, but we who know Him still long for His appearing.
“I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.”
“Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”
2 Timothy 4
How sad to see Paul write as he does here, to see that his end is near and the time for ministry is coming to a close and to see that people have abandoned him in the end after he had done so much for others. But the words he shares take on more power because of it. How important that the word of God be preached and yet it is also to be applied and dealt with an on individual level. What wise principles to guide our ministry to others…to correct, rebuke and encourage, but do that great patience and careful instruction. We need to do all that whether we feel like it or not, in high times and low, when people are open to it and when they are not. Because we shouldn’t be surprised when people don’t want to hear what corrects them. but to hear only what condones their behavior. We see that in much of our world today. I know I plan to keep teaching the truth of God just as the word of God proclaims it, and I welcome anyone to come and address me if I don’t!
Be prepared to tell others the Gospel message whether you planned to do so or not. And be able to not only encourage people in the faith, but to correct them in a way that is tactful and compassionate. And now is the time that the so called religous people are not following God’s truth. They have twisted it by saying that it can be interpreted in all sorts of ways to fit the culture of this day. So we need to stand firm in what the truth is, and not be swayed by what the majority thinks is right.