2 Timothy 3-7.23.21
Scripture-
2 Timothy 3:14-15 You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
Observation-
In chapter two, Paul explains the importance of discipline to Timothy. Coming from his experience with persecution for his testimony, Paul encourages Timothy to have both the endurance of a soldier, the discipline of an athlete and the perseverance of a farmer. Paul reminds Timothy to hold tight to the true gospel, because he fears there is trouble waiting for the church. This trouble is described in the opening verses of chapter three. We will see generations of people who are “lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God” (2 Tim 3:2-4). It is because of these times that we must stay faithful to the calling of the gospel. Verses 14 and 15 give us the central message of this chapter, staying true to the gospel and the previous pattern of ministry so we are not disqualified from our salvation.
Understanding-
I’m not sure exactly why, but retirement is always a big topic amongst my colleagues, many of whom are still in their mid-thirties like myself. It might be the short life expectancy of people in law enforcement and emergency services that prompts this behavior. They say police officers and firefighters will most likely only live about five years after retirement. So the planning for this time period seems to start relatively early. Either way, retirement planning is something that takes a great amount of discipline. The length of our days is not known, therefore you don’t know how long to prepare for. The more sacrifices you can make early in your life will equate to more comfort and ease when you are no longer working. It’s often referred to as delayed gratification. Studies have shown the earlier you can develop your sense of delayed gratification, the more successful you will be in all areas of life.
More important than our retirement, is the position we will find ourselves in for eternity. Paul’s words to Timothy give us a reminder that delayed gratification applies most directly to our spiritual life. We cannot see or touch the spiritual things while on this planet, but we must hold to the certainty of their coming, not only for ourselves, but also for those around us who may come to a knowledge of God through our lives. As the writer of Hebrews expressed to his audience, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1) Our faith in Jesus is the basis of our salvation and our connection to God and our entrance to eternity.
Life Application- Jesus, help me not to look only at my current circumstances and seek my pleasure here, but give me an eye for the eternal. Help make my actions ones that will have an impact eternally and not merely for this temporary life. For our citizenship is not here, but in heaven and we are eagerly awaiting the return of Jesus (Philippians 3:20-21).
-Tyler Galloway