2 Timothy 2:1-7 - Achieving Success

Paul addresses Timothy in affectionate terms as “my child”. Paul had played a big part in raising and training Timothy as a man of God. It is the grace of God in Christ that strengthens us. We often feel inadequate, we become aware of failings and sinfulness that seem to make it impossible for us to be what God wants us to be, and to do what He wants us to do. But the grace of God enables us. In Christ we are forgiven and cleansed of our sins, and through the Holy Spirit we are enabled. The grace of God is not just a passive thing where we receive forgiveness, but an active thing, enabling us to do and be far more than we have any right to expect.

But this is not all about Timothy. Just as Paul passed on his teaching and learning to Timothy, so he is to find faithful men to pass it on to. Note also that we are entrusting a vital message to others. This means if we have been entrusted with the message we need to handle it well. It is not ours, but belongs to God. We should remind ourselves of this if are ever tempted to deviate from what the Bible says.

Moreover, we will share in suffering. Difficulties and trials are not a possibility but an integral part of the package. We are to go through these as good soldiers of Christ. We need to have this tough attitude. We too easily give up when things are difficult.  We treat our role in the church as if it was like a role in a social or sporting club, as a hobby which we are free to give up if we choose. This is not the case. We need to treat it like being in the army.

Paul expands on this attitude issue. We are to stay focused on the task. He then broadens it by bringing in analogies with farming and running. There are rules to play by, things that have to be done if a harvest is to be produced. When we do this the Lord will expand our understanding.

2 Timothy 1:13-18 - Good and Bad Teaching

We must not follow the way of the world, for the world does not know what it is doing, and is heading for destruction. Instead we are to follow the way of Christ. Paul’s words describe the faith and love that are found in Christ. We have been entrusted with a great truth by God. We see here again how God works with man. All God’s plans are predicated on Him working together with us. This was true from the very beginning. In creation He gave us the job of naming the birds and animals. He gave us the task of subduing the earth. But He does not give us tasks and just leave us alone to get on with it. The Holy Spirit lives within us, and we are to work together with Him. So in our own lives today, in seeking to understand and to cope, we need to realise that God has given us a purpose, and He has also come to dwell within us to enable us to fulfil that purpose. This should fill us with joy and hope.

But this does not mean that life is easy. Paul had been abandoned by many in Asia. Conversely, Onesiphorus had remained faithful, and even came to Rome to seek Paul out. All that we do is noted by God, and it makes a difference to our future.

2 Timothy 1:10-12 - Herald, apostle, teacher

God's plan had always been to save us, but it is only in Christ that the details, the outworking, of that plan have been revealed. This is why Christ is the only way to salvation, all other religions are ultimately an exercise in futility. God is the creator of all the world, from the before the beginning of time He has had a plan of salvation, and God has revealed that plan in Christ. It is the creator of the world who decides how things work.

On the cross death was destroyed, and we are given the chance to become immortal. We were not created to die, it is only because of sin that death came into the world. It is through Christ that death is defeated.

Paul was appointed as a "herald, apostle and teacher" of the gospel. With here the key elements of the church's mission. We are to proclaim the good news. We are to go out and spread the good news to all the world, and we are to teach and explain the good news.

Paul was working and living for God, the church is meant to live and work for God, but this is no easy task. It was for this very reason that Paul was in prison. The church will be reviled by society, sometimes violently so. Paul, however, was not dismayed, because he knew whom he had believed in. Knowing Christ is, knowing God, is central to our life. Jesus said in John 17:3 that knowing the Father and the Son is eternal life. We need to focus on knowing God. And so Paul knew that his life was safe with Christ. We have entrusted our lives to Christ. 

2 Timothy 1:8,9 - Standing up for Christ

There are times when we can feel under pressure for our belief in Christ. In parts of the world today, and in Paul's time, this can involve physical threats to life, family and well-being. Even in our society this pressure is starting to affect people's careers, viz. the opprobrium poured on anyone who in the least way questioned the wisdom of same-sex marriage. This pressure can come because of our allegiance to Christ and our connection with His servants. This is why Paul in verse 8 talks about Christ and himself as a prisoner. Paul's first instruction is for Timothy not to be ashamed, and this follows on from his words on the Spirit being a Spirit of power, love and self-control. We need to stand up proud for Christ. We also need to stand by fellow Christians when they suffer. Next we are to be prepared to suffer. Note that we do this by the power of God. There are some who make proud boasts of their commitment to Christ, but like with Peter this usually does not end well. Most of us probably wonder how we would manage if real pressure was put upon us for our faith. Would we manage to remain faithful? The answer, as to most questions, is faith. Faith that God will help us in the midst of the attack. Indeed, Jesus told His disciples not to worry about what to say when called to give an account, for the Holy Spirit would help them. 

The best preparation for tomorrow is to live by faith today. We have been called to a life of holiness, and have been so because of the purpose and grace of God. This grace was given to us before the beginning of time. God has always been working so that the name of Christ is glorified, and that we become like His Son. We need to look at life not in terms of what I can do, or what I am capable of, but in terms of what Christ is doing and can do through me and in me. It is God's work in my life that counts. So we live each day by faith, walking humbly with our God.

2 Timothy 1:6,7 - Power, Love and self-control

Verse 6 tells us various things. First, we have a responsibility when God gives us gifts. We have to nurture and develop them, or as Paul says her, fan them into flame. Gifts do not manifest themselves by default. This is fundamental to the way that the Bible reveals God's working with mankind. God works together with us, this has always been His way. He has designed His creation so that it works when we walk humbly with Him, doing our part. If we do not do our part it will not work, if we do stuff, but do not walk humbly with God, it will not work either.

Next, the laying of hands can have a connection with imparting gifts. We have a tendency to go to one extreme or the other. One is to assign an almost magical quality to laying on of hands, the other is to say it is purely symbolic. Neither of these extremes is in line with what the Bible says. The laying on of hands can have an effect beyond the purely symbolic.

Now we come to a very well known verse about us receiving a spirit of power, love and self-control (or "sound mind" in some translations). So the Spirit of God gives us gifts, but He also affects our character. In the world power, love and self-control are often at complete odds with each other. Those with power use it for selfish or evil ends, showing little love or self-control. Love is sometimes equated with sexual lust, obviously lacking self-control (and love as well for that matter). At other times it is seen as weak, lacking power, or leading to impetuous actions, so lacking self-control.

In God all three, love, power and self-control, work together and complement each other.

2 Timothy 1:1-5 - Greetings

We will now resume our look at the pastoral epistles, moving on to Paul's second letter to Timothy. 

As often in his letters, Paul reminds Timothy that he, Paul, is an apostle of Christ, chosen by the will of God. He was appointed as an apostle to bring the promise of life that is in Christ. Whatever role we have in the church we need to always remind ourselves that we are here to serve Christ, and as part of God's plan to bring His kingdom and His salvation to the world. Part of our fallen nature is that we become very self-centred. We find true life and destiny when we lose our life, for then we will find it (Matt 16:25). In fact this can be a very useful pastoral point to apply to ourselves. If we are struggling, then sometimes it is good to remind ourselves that we are here for Christ's sake, not our own. Taking the focus off ourselves can be enormously beneficial.

Again as in most of his letters, Paul blesses Timothy with "grace, mercy and peace". This is part of our heritage in Christ.

Paul prayed a lot for Timothy, and did so with thanksgiving. Sometimes Paul is viewed as cold, driven and uncaring, but nothing could be further from the truth. Paul had a deep concern for Timothy, and a deep emotional connection.

Then he draws attention to Timothy's faith. We need to remember how precious our faith is. It is precious to God, and it is precious to us. It is a most valuable thing to have. Each person needs to decide for him or her self to believe in Christ, but one generation can still build a foundation for the next. We can provide a spiritual inheritance for our children. 

Micah 7:14-20 - Israel's Salvation

Micah calls on the Lord to shepherd His people, reminding Him that they are the "flock of your inheritance". Israel belongs to God, and He will not abandon her forever. Jesus described Himself as the good shepherd. 

God then promises that He will show them His wonders as he did when He brought them out of slavery in Egypt. Again we see Jesus doing this. He performed many miracles while He was here on earth, and the resurrection was the greatest miracle of all.

Micah then makes a declaration of praise in response to this. The nations that mocked and derided Israel will be put to shame. This still applies today. This does not mean that everything Israel does is right, indeed in many ways they are a godless nation today, but we should treat them honourable and with integrity. For one day they will repent and turn to Christ, and then their salvation will come.

"Who is a God like you ..." This is a vital key to understanding God and His ways. He is a God of forgiveness. The Pharisees and other religious leaders did not understand Jesus, and were even offended by Him, because He forgave people. The Lord does not stay angry forever, He looks for a way to forgive people. God will be faithful to all His promises, and Israel will be saved.