2 Timothy 1 – 2
Verse 1:8 is a difficult sell:
So don’t be embarrassed to testify about our Lord or for me, His prisoner. Join us in suffering for the good news by the strength and power of God.
Think about this verse and if it was sold today. Sure the preachers focus on this based on our individual suffering and equate it to what Paul is talking about. In reality he is talking about persecution for our beliefs. You think being ridiculed by an atheist is difficult, imagine being jailed and beaten. In the United States we don’t understand the suffering Paul was talking about and probably would not sign on to being a Christian if we did.
We have become a self-centered nation with little regard to the bigger picture. Christianity today has been repackaged by many into what I fear is a false doctrine. When Jesus says “I never knew you” to those who think they are faithful, this is disconcerting. When following Jesus is marketed as a path to wealth or success we have missed the mark. When reading and listening to others outside the Bible, research what they are saying in FULL context. You will learn something and grow deeper, but also protect yourself from false doctrines that could jeopardize your salvation.
Verse 2:5 talks about our path with Jesus:
Look at it another way: if someone competes as an athlete, he won’t win the race and be crowned with the wreath if he breaks the rules.
Paul is warning Timothy in this letter about people falling away from the true Gospel and making up their own ones. As stated before this is a huge reason for reading your Bibles daily. You understand the faith and teachings from the word and not someone’s misunderstandings of scripture. Often people are more sinister and are preaching a false Gospel on purpose to lose souls for Jesus. Be vigilant to death on this quest.
Verses 2:17 & 18 has Paul dealing with the fall out of a drifting faction:
17 Once these empty voices start to speak, Timothy, they infect and spread; and soon the body is consumed with its cancer Hymenaeus and Philetus fell victim to it, 18 and they walked away from the truth by claiming that the day of resurrection has already arrived. They are clearly disrupting the faith of some who are not well grounded.
Just like the body being infected by a microscopic germ, the body of Christ can be infected by a few false teachings. Again don’t be caught saying “Lord, Lord” and having Jesus reply “I never knew you”. If you read my blog this is a huge concern since often very logical arguments are presented against scripture, and one can either agree or dig deeper for the truth. After 40 years of bouncing all over the place, I have come to a stronger understanding of what the message truly is. It’s actually quite simple and bound in love! Just DO IT!!