WORD From The Woods
2 Timothy 1:8-18
“Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me. Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.
You are aware that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes. May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains, but when he arrived in Rome he searched for me earnestly and found me— may the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that day!—and you well know all the service he rendered at Ephesus.”
This week, we’ll pick up where we left off in this powerful letter from the Apostle Paul to his disciple, the younger Pastor Timothy. Paul gives Timothy a charge, and he puts in a military context as a good soldier in Christ Jesus, we’ll look more into being a good soldier next week in Chapter 2. Paul tells Timothy to guard the good deposit that was entrusted to him. This good deposit is the good news of the gospel itself! He reminds Timothy, not to be ashamed of the testimony of the Lord or be afraid of the persecution they would face for boldly proclaiming this Gospel truth. We don’t need to be ashamed or afraid because this good deposit that was entrusted to Paul and Timothy, and to each one of us as Christians today, has been given to us not because of our own good works, but because of God’s own good purpose of grace which He gave us in Christ before the world was even created. Think about that reality for a moment! When we consider the fact that God had a plan to save us, and entrust us with the gospel of Jesus Christ before time even began, it’s a lot harder to be afraid of the temporary fear that might hold us back from sharing this good news with the world around us. No matter what we face, even death, Christ stands in victory! We are assured of this because He abolished the power of death when He arose from the grave, bringing life and immortality to light through the gospel! If the Apostle Paul saw it necessary to remind Timothy of this glorious reality, how much more do we need to be reminded of it ourselves? Praise God that He gave us these inspired letters to bless the Church and learn from 2,000 years later! Friends, be encouraged by this truth as you go about your life this week. And if you haven’t placed your trust in Christ Jesus for the forgiveness of sin, and believe that God raised Him from the dead, please do so today and be redeemed by the shed blood of the Savior!
(Romans 10:8-13 “But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”)
God bless and have a great week! -Terry-
2 Timothy 1:8-18
“Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me. Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.
You are aware that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes. May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains, but when he arrived in Rome he searched for me earnestly and found me— may the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that day!—and you well know all the service he rendered at Ephesus.”
This week, we’ll pick up where we left off in this powerful letter from the Apostle Paul to his disciple, the younger Pastor Timothy. Paul gives Timothy a charge, and he puts in a military context as a good soldier in Christ Jesus, we’ll look more into being a good soldier next week in Chapter 2. Paul tells Timothy to guard the good deposit that was entrusted to him. This good deposit is the good news of the gospel itself! He reminds Timothy, not to be ashamed of the testimony of the Lord or be afraid of the persecution they would face for boldly proclaiming this Gospel truth. We don’t need to be ashamed or afraid because this good deposit that was entrusted to Paul and Timothy, and to each one of us as Christians today, has been given to us not because of our own good works, but because of God’s own good purpose of grace which He gave us in Christ before the world was even created. Think about that reality for a moment! When we consider the fact that God had a plan to save us, and entrust us with the gospel of Jesus Christ before time even began, it’s a lot harder to be afraid of the temporary fear that might hold us back from sharing this good news with the world around us. No matter what we face, even death, Christ stands in victory! We are assured of this because He abolished the power of death when He arose from the grave, bringing life and immortality to light through the gospel! If the Apostle Paul saw it necessary to remind Timothy of this glorious reality, how much more do we need to be reminded of it ourselves? Praise God that He gave us these inspired letters to bless the Church and learn from 2,000 years later! Friends, be encouraged by this truth as you go about your life this week. And if you haven’t placed your trust in Christ Jesus for the forgiveness of sin, and believe that God raised Him from the dead, please do so today and be redeemed by the shed blood of the Savior!
(Romans 10:8-13 “But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”)
God bless and have a great week! -Terry-