There is one attribute which I absolutely love about Paul and that is he doesn’t beat around the proverbial bush and is straight to the point, he opens up in this chapter “in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, ² through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared,” [ESV] We see this occurring in today’s Church where some churches are going down the ‘progressive route’ only taking onboard the Bible verses that suit them, and the Bible verses which they don’t like they either ignore or reinterpret them ‘because Jesus got it wrong’ or ‘it wasn’t meant like that for us in 2021’. I came across a quote by Bishop Butler, the great eighteenth century moralist who saw the greatest and most dangerous delusion of human agents as the belief that the consequences of my actions shall be as I please. I find it interesting and comforting to think that back in the 18th Century society believed like now the consequences of our sin is not in the hands of God but us. Charles Spurgeon echos the same sentiment in his sermon ‘Turn or Burn‘ from Psalm 7:12 “If a man does not repent, God will whet his sword; he has bent and readied his bow;” [ESV]

In verses 4 and 5 Paul reminds us that everything created by God is ‘good’ echoing Genesis 1:10, for me personally when I go out on walks in the country with fresh snow on the ground or blossom on the trees it’s always a reminder of God’s Creation and how it was perfect at the beginning and how it will be on the new earth as we read in Isaiah 65:17 “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind.” [ESV] and in Revelation 21:1 “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.” [ESV]

In verses 6-8 Paul is reminding Timothy that when he speaks the truth and keeps to God’s Word he’s being a good minister as are we when we proclaim God’s Word. In verse 8 Paul is telling Timothy and us that Spiritual exercise is important, if we don’t spend time with God seeking His will in our lives, reading Scripture on a daily basis how will we be prepared for Satan’s attacks in our lives; or have the confidence to answer those awkward questions in our workplace, college etc.?

In verse 12 Paul is telling Timothy that just because he’s young (around the age of 30) he needs to live in a manner which commanded respect, Timothy needed to set an example on how a follower of Christ was to live their lives.

Jumping back to verse 10, I love this verse “For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Saviour of all people, especially of those who believe.” [ESV] When we are living our lives according to God’s Word, which at times can be hard, stressful we have the comfort and assurance that God is our Saviour and we are saved.

This coming week think are you prepared / have the confidence to answer those awkward questions at work, in college?

All Bible verse quotes / links were taken from http://www.biblegateway.com