Scripture:
II Timothy 3:10-17 NKJV
[10] But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, [11] persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. [12] Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. [13] But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. [14] But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, [15] and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. [16] All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, [17] that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Observation:
I seem to be magnetically drawn to the letters Paul wrote to young Timothy the last few weeks. The way Paul writes altogether is rather intriguing to me. Using life experiences coupled with the inspired scripture is a flawless approach. I honestly feel like if we can not figure out how the bible applies to our lives, than its just words on a page. Personally I have seen to many of the principles that have come from the bible work. So I can’t set here and say that the bible is just a book. I believe it to be a divinely inspired book handed down from our Father in heaven. As Paul writes these letters to Timothy he is preparing the young pastor to face all the things that will come his way as a pastor and an evangelist. Approaching a conversation about the persecutions that Paul faced in several different areas of his missionary journeys was more than likely not an easy conversation to transition into. So he took a little time to build Timothy up by saying, “But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, persecution, and affection, which happened to me.” Paul had gone through it, and at this point in his ministry he was a seasoned veteran. He had been ship wrecked, stoned and left for dead, snake bitten, and placed in prison, that’s not to mention many other hardships he had faced along his journeys up and to this point. Now it was time to pass this information on to Timothy. But how do you prepare a young man who is full of faith for hard times and persecution. Well that’s what the word of GOD does. As Paul continues to teach Timothy by saying, “You have seen how it has happened in my life, now get ready because it’s going to happen in yours also.” Now i know those are not the words Paul uses but that’s what he say in verse 12, “yes all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus “WILL” suffer persecution. There’s no question whether or not it will happen. The only question is when will it happen. Paul wants Timothy to be fully aware that there will be impostors. People who say they are something that they are not. Let me tell you what this will look like. They will be people who go to church. Say they believe in GOD and even look the part. But just like Jesus said they will be whitewashed tombs full of dead man’s bones. But I want you to know that they will not even know that they are deceiving because they themselves will be deceived. I don’t know about you but that sounds real tricky, and honestly probably really hard to navigate. That’s why Paul felt it so necessary to make sure that Timothy was ready for all this. He needed Timothy to line everything up with the word of GOD. In a sense what Paul was telling Timothy in theses few short verses is if it does not line up with GOD’S word be very careful as to how you move forward with it. Verses 14 and 15 tell us that. ” But you “MUST” continue in these things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them. He tells Timothy to remember what he was taught from childhood. The scripture was ingrained into the very fiber of Timothy’s character. Poured into him as a child. Something that had been made a part of him. I love the way Paul finishes out what he is teaching Timothy. “ALL” scripture is given by inspiration of GOD, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of GOD may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
Application:
I don’t really understand why its taught that once you become a Christian life will get easy. I don’t necessarily find that teaching in the Bible. The bible does teach however, that we are in a war. We “WILL” face persecution and we had better know what GOD’S word tells us. That’s what i find in the bible. We can’t just continue to drink milk and get what we need. We have to dive into the meat that’s in GOD’S word. We have to teach it to our kids. This has to continue. I want to tell you the point that my life has gotten to as far as my relationship with Jesus. I trust what the bible says over what anyone else tells me. Over and over again in the bible we see the words do not be deceived. Its a warning to us. People will twist the bible and some will not even know that they are doing it. They themselves being deceived. Now listen I started studying the bible years ago, and i feel like I know some of it. But I am by no means a bible scholar, and to be honest I don’t trust those who say that they are. GOD HIMSELF is the author and finisher of our faith. HE wants you to read it yourself. HE will give you the ability to understand it… trust me on that one. The word of GOD and the man of GOD can not be separated. If you say you are a man of GOD you need to know what GOD’S word says. Allowing it to correct you. Understanding that a life lived for Jesus “WILL” bring persecution. People hate what they don’t understand. The thing is, yes I am responsible for what I pit in these SOAPS. I want it to be biblically correct. My desire is not to mislead anyone. That’s why my goal is not to get you reading devotional books. I want you to read your bible. Any good pastor or teacher will always point someone to the living word of GOD that is inspired by the creator of heaven and earth. Im going to tell you just like I tell my wife. Trust what GOD’S word says over what I say. Devotional books are milk. They are what someone else has had the opportunity to read digest and give back to others. They are good for one thing. To get someone to a point where they want to find out for themselves what GOD’S word tastes like before it is chewed up and regurgitated. Listen this is what I know, I did not know how to read well at all when I picked up the bible. I had barely been able to struggle through reading maybe 6 books in my entire life. What I’m saying is I couldn’t read well at all. “BUT GOD” saw fit to reveal HIMSELF to me in the scriptures. HE taught me how to read. Yes GOD did that, through his living word. It was supernatural. I picked up the bible and began to struggle through it, and it began to shape and mold me. Reproving me into a man that can confidently say, the LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me to lay down in green pastures; HE leads me beside still waters. HE restores my soul; HE leads me in paths of righteousness for HIS namesake. Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadows of death, I will fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me. You have prepared a table for me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and i will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Prayer:
Father, our love for you and your living word grows daily. You have given us an instruction book. A way to live life that will bring you glory and honor. We want to thank you for that. No one is like you. All we can ask is that our live reflect the fact that you are with us. That we have spent time in your presence. We know that as we live for you. Other people will not understand that. Help us to stand firm in the love that you have placed in our hearts. Help us to know and live your Holy word. That has been breathed out through the Holy Spirit. Wright it on our hearts. Give us a string desire to read it, and hear your voice through the words on the pages. We want to show your word to be true. Fill us with the fruit that only comes from a life lived chasing after your will, which again brings us back to your word. Because that’s where your will is found. You are a good GOD and have equipped us for the race you have put before us. Let us finish strong. Its in the mighty name of Jesus we pray amen.