2 Timothy 4:3-5

Summary retelling of 2 Timothy 4:3-5

Paul turns to talking once more about humanity.  Human beings reach a point where they will choose between believing sound teaching or believing the lies that they want to be true in their life.  People will choose between those who speak difficult truth or those who speak what they want to hear.  People will either choose to cling to the truth or wander away into myths that make them feel good.  Thus Paul encourages Timothy to have a judgment that is untainted, to be willing to endure suffering, to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ, and to accomplish the role of service to which God has called him.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Sounds Doctrine.  It sounds like such a grand idea.  If only we could have a list of things which we can believe with absolute certainty!  If only we could have a few guiding principles in this life towards which we could strive.  Everyone is inherently in favor of Sound Doctrine.  What’s not to like about having a few guiding principles in your life, right?

What are the principles upon which you truly make your decisions? What are the core values around which you truly live your life?  Are the core values you picked really the ones that should be there?

Second Thought:

Sound doctrine is a difficult thing.  Love your neighbor.  Honor your father and mother.  Love your brother and sister.  Give to the poor.  Trust in the Lord.  Obey God.  Sex is for marriage.  Don’t get drunk.  Don’t lie.  Pay your debts.  Don’t take advantage of your neighbors.  Don’t get angry.  Meditate on the Word of God often.  Don’t watch movies or listen to music that puts temptation into your presence.  I can go on, but I think my point is clear.  God’s sound doctrine is difficult in this world.  So many times we compromise truth for a sound doctrine of our own making.

What is so hard about being obedient to God’s sound doctrine?  What parts of our human nature make it so easy for us to compromise on faith?

Third Thought:

It is difficult to be a godly person in this world.  There are far more fun and easy things to focus on that being God’s servant.  It’s far more fun to live by the rules of the world than to endure the suffering that comes from rejecting the ways of the world.  However, Paul is clear with Timothy.  God’s people are charged with certain tasks.  Proclaiming Jesus to the world is top of the list.  Enduring the persecution that comes with that is also right there.  Living a life of fair and equitable judgment is also right there.  In all things, be God’s servant.  It is our challenge.  It is our calling.

Is there any calling that you would rather have than being God’s servant?  What are the rewards of living a life according to God’s calling?  What are the rewards of living a life according to the calling of the world?  What are the dangers of both callings?  Which one do you chose on a regular basis?

Passage for Tomorrow: 2 Timothy 4:6-8