Not Ashamed

 2 Tim 1:12
Nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

Paul, knowing that his time on earth would be coming to an end, admonished believers to hold fast to their faith. Stand up and not be ashamed of what they believe to be God’s truth and salvation to man. Times have changed, but the message is still the same. Jesus came to save sinners. All of humanity is lost in sin, born with the Sin nature, in need of forgiveness. I had a friend who believed that men are basically good and just needed to be trained and surrounded by a good environment. This thinking is contrary to the teaching of the Bible. Paul writes in the book of Romans that ALL are born sinners and must come to God for salvation. This is the message given to us by Jesus. We need not be ashamed, for the answer is found in Christ. Accepting Jesus as our savior means that we have confessed our sins, turned away in repentance. He is then faithful to save us from being lost for eternity. This truth is sealed in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. As we commit our hearts to Christ, take up our cross and follow Him, He has promised to keep us by His grace and to hold steadfast the commitment we made the day we gave our heart to Him.

The Good Fight

 2 Tim 4:7
​​I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

I have never been to a boxing match, but I have seen videos of boxers in the ring. It is a brutal sport, and I'm not sure why anyone would enjoy it or want to engage in it. At the end of the fight, the referee will raise the winner's arm in the air, proclaiming them to be the winner, the champ. They fought a good fight and came out on top. As Christians, we fight an unseen enemy. “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Eph 6:12) We fight to keep the faith, we fight for the salvation of loved ones, we fight for truth and for what is right. Sometimes, the fight comes with a high price, even unto death. Paul’s departure was at hand, his life was coming to an end. Each one of us is on a course, a path to heaven. The "good fight" may not be the same for everyone. The journey we take is personal, and we all fight our own battles and spiritual wickedness in high places. Whatever the obstacle that is put before us, we need to believe in God to give us the strength and power to overcome and fight to keep the faith. The end is near. We don’t know when our course will be finished, or when the Lord will return, but we must keep our eyes on Jesus, fight to keep the faith. At the finish line, we can raise our hand in triumph, and say, “It was a good fight.”

That Good Thing

 2 Tim. 1:13,14
Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.

“That good thing.” We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. (2 Corinth 4:7) We pray that good things will happen. We desire the blessing of God to bring us things that will bring joy to our lives, and bring contentment. But we know that for reasons not always known, bad things also happen, because that is the consequences in living a fallen world. But despite all the bad things that are happening, we have “That good thing” that God has given us through Christ. He has given us a clean heart, through His blood shed on the cross we have forgiveness of sin. We have the assurance that God is good and He does all things well. “That good thing” that is given to us remains in us because the Holy Spirit is living and guiding us each day. Giving us the power to overcome the bad things that come our way. We hold fast the sound teaching handed down through scripture and feed on the  good things of His word. We hide His word in our hearts and integrate them into the way we live our lives. Let us not let go of “That good thing” for it is the treasure He has given us. 

Pray For Loved Ones

 2 Tim 1:3

I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of you in my prayers night and day.

The Apostle Paul took Timothy under his wings, and thought of him as one of his own. Paul probably had some influence on Timothy’s life, but much of Timothy’s life was influenced by his mother and grandmother Eunice and Lois. Their faith was true,  unwavering, and unshaken by the criticism and skeptics around them. They passed this faith on to Timothy. Sustaining this faith is not done by tradition that is handed down, it requires diligent prayer and supplication. Praying for those close to us daily is crucial in keeping the faith. Satan is relentless in his attacks. He seeks to defeat and destroy those who believe in Jesus.  Being rooted and grounded in faith is made possible through prayer. We need the Holy Spirit in our lives to give us the power to overcome the trials and temptations we face. When our faith is attacked, it is the power of God in prayer that will keep us faithful to the teachings of Christ and keep our relationship with God genuine and sincere. Those of us who have children, we have a responsibility to hold them up in prayer. Yes, we need to pray for the sick and the lost, but praying for our children should be a daily priority. We may not be able to help them in many ways, but praying that they will keep the faith and trust God in everything is paramount.

Form of Godliness

 2 Tim 3:5
Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
Being religious is a good thing. It implies that you have traditions and rituals that are important to you.There are many religions in the world that have a point of view about God, and who He is. Christianity also is a religion that people down through the centuries have made it their tenant of faith. The problem with just having religion is that it can become just a form of godliness. Like the Pharisee, Jesus said, “ …ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.” (Mat. 23:27). Paul writes to Timothy to warn him about people who are calling themselves followers of Jesus, yet live lives that are unholy and corrupt. He gives a big list of things that they are doing that are not consistent with holy living. He says, they resist the truth and have become reprobate concerning the faith. Men who once knew the Way have turned to their selfish desires and have made mockery of the faith. They worship, and may even name the Name of Jesus, but their hearts are far from him. The warning is given to us, to always worship God in Spirit. It is the power of the Holy Spirit living in our lives that turns religion into a relationship. The song writer pens, “The power, the power, gives victory over sin, the purity within…”

Unfeigned Faith

 April 13, 2021
2 Tim 1:5
 …I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee,…
It is possible to have insincere faith. Fake faith that pretends to believe that God is in control, but deep down doubting God’s ability to take care or even notices our need or problems. There is also Fake faith, like Simon in the book of Acts who offered money to receive the power of the Holy Spirit that he may also lay hands on people. Fake faith like Ananias and Sapphira who pretended to give all they had, yet kept back part of the price. Jesus exposed fake faith in the Pharisee, calling them “Hypocrites! For you are like whited sepulchers, which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness'' There are many who call themselves Christians, but in the day of judgment, Christ will say, “Depart from me you worker of iniquity”. Timothy possessed a faith that was true and rooted in believing Christ as his Savior and redeemer. His unfeigned faith was handed down by his mother and grandmother who also believed and lived the teaching of Christ. Faith is to believe God that He is and is able to do that which we have committed to Him. To believe that no matter the darkness or hardship we find ourselves that He watches over us. Faith is submitting to the will of God regardless of what the last chapter holds. Many have given their lives having an unfeigned faith, knowing that there was a better life here after.

His Word is Profitable

 2 Tim 3:16

 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Many find inspiration from God’s word. Words of encouragement, promises of comfort during difficult times, words that lift the spirits. The word of God brings hope to many in a world that is lost and hurting. But His word has much more to give. It is God’s instructions for life. It is our manual for living, teaching us how to act and treat others, how to talk, how to make good decisions, things we should do and things we should not do. The world is no friend of God, and is opposed to anything that is holy and righteous. It may have a form of godliness, but they deny the power of God, and the truth of the Gospel, that Jesus is the only way to heaven. No man can come to God, except through Christ.

This Good Thing

2 Tim 1:12, 14-  …am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day…That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.

What good thing? The Gospel of Jesus Christ has given us the spirit of love and a sound mind, and power to overcome all fear. Fear of the unknown, fear of death. Through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit we are able to keep this good thing. This good thing was committed to us in the hopes that we would not be ashamed of the gospel, and speak His word without fear of man. It is the Holy Ghost, the third person of the blessed Trinity that lives within our heart. He was the promise given to us by Jesus. This good thing is kept in our hearts by the power of the Spirit. Let us not grieve His Spirit in our lives by being careless with this pearl of great price. Let us hold fast this good thing.