{Reading the Book of 2 Timothy}

Guarding The Treasure: The Good News of Salvation

Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you. 2 Timothy 1:14

The days of Paul’s ministry are coming to an end. He finds himself in a cold cell {4:13} in chains {2:9}with no hope of deliverance {4:6}. According to 2 Timothy 1:15 all who were in Asia turned away from Paul except Onesiphorus who refreshed him and was not ashamed of his chains.

Paul is penning the last letter he will be guided to write. He addresses it to Timothy his true child in the faith. He encourages Timothy but at the same time urges him to stand firm in the faith, and to join him in suffering for the gospel. He exhorts him not to be ashamed of the gospel  nor to be ashamed of him because he is in chains.  I can hear him speaking to Timothy as a father or mother speaks to his or her own child as he says these words,  “Timothy I am in prison but the gospel of Jesus Christ is not imprisoned it is not chained. I am enduring all things for the sake of the elect, those chosen by God before the foundation of the world so that they may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus. Timothy, the gospel must be preached for the sake of the elect. Do not be timid, kindle afresh the spiritual gift that has been given to you and go forth with the true gospel of Jesus Christ.”

turning from the truth to fables

 Paul tells Timothy that a time will come when some men will not endure sound doctrine. The people:

•  will want their ears tickled
• will want to feel good about themselves
•  will want to be entertained
• will accumulate for themselves teachers that will teach what they desire to hear.
•  will turn their ears from the truth
• will turn to myths, false ideologies, and viewpoints that will be in direct contrast to the truth of the word of God.
• will dictate what a preacher preaches, rather than what the word of God says.

Does this sound familiar?

In view of this Paul calls Timothy to guard and protect the true gospel. He urges him to preach the word, to be ready in season and out of season, in other words when it is not popular to preach the hard truths, do it anyway. Warn, correct, bring to light the truth of the gospel in contrast with error. Instruct with patience.

BE DILIGENT; DIFFICULT DAYS WILL COME

Realize this that in the last days difficult times will come. The phrase last days refers to this age, the days since the first coming of Christ.  Men will go from bad to worse. What a list Paul writes of these difficult, fierce,violent, dangerous  men. The list that Paul writes in 2 Timothy 3:1-5 is quite extensive. He is describing men that are self-centered, lovers of themselves, lovers of money, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. They have no self-control. Notice that the scripture teaches they hold to a form of godliness or religion, though they have denied its power. Jesus describes these men as sheep in wolves clothing. Matthew 7:15. They take on a form an outward shape of godliness. They are also described as men who oppose the truth, men of depraved minds, rejected in regard to faith.  These men have been tested and are rejected or shown to be worthless. We are instructed through the scriptures to avoid such men. We are told that sooner or later their folly will be obvious.

Do we recognize these men of folly?  Do we give hardy approval to their schemes?  There are many today who are giving hardy approval to these men of depraved minds. In contrast to this, we are called through the word of God to continue in what we have learned from the scriptures and have become convinced of. The scriptures are able to give you wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

We live in difficult days, suffering and persecution for the cause of Christ are on the rise in our country. Do not be ashamed of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Fight the good fight of faith knowing in whom you have believed and be convinced that He is able to guard what you have entrusted to Him until the day of His second coming.

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15

This message from Paul is so timely. It is so vitally important for the believer to be in the word of God renewing their minds and learning what the will of God is. That is what we are doing here at Conforming To The Truth. We are reading through 17 New Testament books. We are entering our ninth week of reading and would love for you to join in with us. I always say it is never too late to start reading Truth. June 6th  we will begin  reading the book of  Titus. Click on the image below to get all of the details! I am ready to send you the reading plan and add you to our Facebook group:)

 

You may find me linked up with these lovely ladies!

Monday: Soul Survivor| Making My Home sing Tuesday: |Testimony Tuesday| Tell It to me Tuesday| | Rear Release Regroup| Wednesday:| A Little R&R| A Wise Woman Builds Her Home| Worshipful Wednesday| Word Filled Wednesday| Sitting Among Friends|Thursday:| Thought Provoking Thursday| Thankful Thursday| 100 Happy Days|Friday:| Grace & Truth| Faith Filled Friday| Faith and Fellowship Blog Hop|My Faith Tree Link Up