Daily Scripture
“I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.”
2 Timothy 4:1-8
Daily Devotion
The Apostle Paul packed a lot into these 6 sentences of his last letter addressed to Timothy. At the time, Paul was imprisoned and seems to know that the end of his life on Earth was near. His words are commanding and encouraging at the same time. The importance of keeping the faith and sharing the Gospel with urgency, no matter the circumstances, was not lost in his final days. If anything, his realization of that grew clearer. As we read the words he wrote to Timothy, we see Paul’s personal account of the importance of accepting the call of Jesus and enduring all suffering that comes our way for his namesake, knowing we have an unshakable hope in God’s faithfulness and the return of Christ! (See 2 Timothy 2:11-13)
Can I get an Amen!?!
In verses 1-8, Paul is warning Timothy and charging him to stay focused on the task at hand and how he should lead the church.
1: Preach the Word:
Stick to the teachings of Jesus and the books of the old testament. Lead by the truths in those words and don’t forget the hope found in the second coming of Jesus. Let God’s word be the standard of reproving, rebuking and exhorting one another. Fight the good fight!
2: Itching Ears:
Right after making known the importance of sound doctrine, he gives the warning and the reason why it is so crucial as time goes on. The same warning to Timothy remains true and relevant today. We must keep close to the word of God so we will not fall to false doctrine that dilutes the meaning of the Gospel and robs us of hope. Followers of Christ must “be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”
3: Our Hope and Reward:
As Christians, our hope is not found in the pleasures of this world but in the promise of salvation and what awaits each believer as we take our final breath. Paul sees his impending death but remains resolute in his faith. He knows his suffering is not in vain and is encouraged by the reward he and every follower of Christ will receive for keeping the faith and finishing the race.
Let our prayer be that we stay faithful to the truth of scripture, do not lose sight of the promises of God, patiently keep each other accountable for our actions and words, and remember the hope of salvation.
Montana Etheridge