Short Reflection from 2 Timothy 1-4

[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (BRW-M) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible]

[23:04, 3/1/2021] S.R:

2 TIMOTHY 1:12

"For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day."

There's a wonderful hymn written by El Nathan (alias D.W. Whittle) from this verse. The rich theology of this hymn makes us fall in love with it. It is a song of assurance and confidence.

Tonight, I realise that this verse is written in the context of suffering and shame. Paul made this statement so that Timothy will remember what Christian life looks like, and that he should be courageous, to suffer along with him even to death (verse 8).

 

𝟚 𝕋𝕚𝕞𝕠𝕥𝕙𝕪 𝟚:𝟚𝟜-𝟚𝟞

"And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will."

Dealing with an opponent in a gentle manner is hard, very hard. I don't want to even deal with it sometimes!

 

𝟚 𝕋𝕚𝕞𝕠𝕥𝕙𝕪 𝟛:𝟜-𝟝

"treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these."

It has been foretold. Not to be surprised. But to endure faithfully!

 

𝟚 𝕋𝕚𝕞𝕠𝕥𝕙𝕪 𝟜:𝟙𝟞

"At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them."

If there was none with Paul, let us not be surprised when people abandon this and that!

Bible Reading Reflection from 2 Timothy 1-4

[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (DG) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible] 

𝕀𝕀 𝕋𝕀𝕄𝕆𝕋ℍ𝕐 𝟙:𝟙𝟚

"For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day."

What assurance Paul has had in Jesus Christ. And we all can say like him with full of joy in our hearts because assurance is the birthright of every Christian. There's even a hymn taken out from this verse! “I know whom I have believed.”

 

𝕀𝕀 𝕋𝕀𝕄𝕆𝕋ℍ𝕐 𝟚:𝟚𝟘-𝟚𝟙

"Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of clay, and some to honor and some to dishonor. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, having been prepared for every good work."

We love to be great. We love to be great even in the kingdom of God. We love to be greatly used by God.

Those desires aren't evil, they are great! And these 2 verses reveal to us how we can be greatly used by God: To sanctify our body daily.

God hates sin. Sin disturbs our communion with God. Sin and God cannot work together. To be used greatly by God is to depart from sin. To be great is to be holy.

 

𝕀𝕀 𝕋𝕀𝕄𝕆𝕋ℍ𝕐 3:𝟙𝟚

"Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted."

If I am living comfortably in this world; if I am at peace with this world, my surrounding; if the world and people around me are okay with my lifestyle, then most probably I am not godly at all!

Following Christ is through the narrow gate. Not only the gate is narrow, but the way is narrow too. And only a few find it.

Can't live like the world. Can't mingle with the world!

 

𝕀𝕀 𝕋𝕀𝕄𝕆𝕋ℍ𝕐 𝟜:𝟙𝟞

"At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me. May it not be counted against them."

Christ was forgiving. Stephen was forgiving. Paul was forgiving.

They all prayed for those who had wronged them.

That's moving one step farther than forgiveness!

Job also prayed for his bitter friends to be forgiven!