2 Timothy 2 - 8.14.25
2 Timothy 2: 1-7
S – 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. 4 No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. 5 Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. 7 Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.
O - Paul knew that he would be executed soon and so he wrote his final thoughts to Timothy, a man he loved like a son. He wanted to encourage and prepare him for the things he would need to continue to do once Paul was gone. He wanted to remind him of the qualities necessary to be a faithful minister of Christ. He wanted him to remember the calling on his life and to use his gifts with boldness to prepare others to follow him in the ministry. He wanted to encourage him in his faith and let him know it would take discipline, and that he would endure suffering, but that he needed to keep his eyes and mind focused on Christ.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 - 24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
A – Our walk with God is not passive. We need to actively do our parts. We need to be disciplined people. If the church were to consistently follow Paul’s advice, it would grow exponentially as well-taught believers would teach others and commission them, so that they would then go out and teach others. The chain reaction could be off the charts if we all followed Paul’s advice and obeyed Jesus’ command:
Matthew 28:18-20 - 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Paul talks about suffering for Christ. That word suffer naturally gives us a negative feeling because the word means to endure pain, hardship or distress. Let’s be honest, NONE of us wants to feel any of that! However, when we suffer, we share in a common experience, not just with those alive today, but with all those who have ever suffered for the sake of the gospel. All the martyrs, missionaries and pioneers of the faith had to face what we face. Let us have the same courage, commitment, and willingness to renounce worldly pleasures in order to serve God.
Paul used the comparison with soldiers, athletes, and farmers who must discipline themselves and be willing to sacrifice to achieve the results they want. Like soldiers we have to give up worldly security and endure rigorous discipline. Like athletes we must train hard and follow the rules. Like farmers, we must work extremely hard and be patient.
Galatians 6:9 - 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
We must keep going despite suffering because of the thought of victory, the vision of winning, and the hope of harvest. We will see that our suffering is worthwhile when we achieve our goal of glorifying God, winning people to Christ and one day living eternally with him.
P – Lord Jesus, I pray for us as you CHURCH, to not run away from suffering but endure the suffering as those endured before us. Your word says that you will give us insight to your words when we read and reflect on them. Help us to discipline ourselves to read your word, study your word, and SHARE your word so that others will come to know you as we do. Give us your boldness and courage to share with others. Thank you that our suffering here on earth does have and end for us as Christ-followers. May those who don’t know you yet, see the hope that we have in you, and open their hearts to hear what we have to share with them. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
- Crystal Flory
