60IN60 Day 44 - Tues Jun 16

It's Day 44 and we're in 2 Timothy 2.

Where God Spoke To Me:

- Verse 5 - We need to strive spiritually, not sit around lazily.

Help:

- Verses 11-13 - What's each statement mean? a. "died with Him" - Part of salvation is that we in our belief participate in His spiritual death, so we "die" spiritually and are raised to newness of life; b. "deny Him" - This would be unbelievers, not believers; c. "faithless" - If we drift away from Jesus, He will draw us back.

If you want to read the chapter online, here's a link.

If you have a question or comment, email me at butcher@ymail.com. 

Your Questions and Comments:

- A comment from a 60IN60 participant: 2 Timothy1. "'Hold on to the example of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.' Just as Timothy heard from Paul, we must hold onto the scripture and study it. Many false doctrines are out in the world. Forget the Health, Wealth and Prosperity Theory —  there’s the Replacement Theory, Liberation Theory on down to believing astrology and psychic hotlines are dangerous. Christians who don’t study are fair game."

- "Would you comment on Paul's personal 'entrusting' in verse 12 and his similar advice to Timothy in verse 14? Is this act of 'entrusting', with the aid of the Holy Spirit, applicable to all believers?" - Although the same word ("entrusting") is used in v. 12 and v. 14, there are two different actions discussed. First, in v. 12 it speaks of what Paul entrusted to God: "He [God] is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day." The "day" in question is the day of judgment. What Paul is saying here is that all the sacrifices he has made for Christ will receive their due reward. He is not worried about Christ failing to "hold onto" what he has earned or to properly reward him for his service to the Kingdom. So he does these things not receiving an immediate reward but he's not worried about it - he knows that God is able to "guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day." It won't be lost or misplaced or forgotten. He can trust Christ with all that. (A related example would be how most people don't get paid each day at their job. Instead they trust their employer to hold their money for two weeks and be faithful to honestly pay them their paycheck.) Second, in v. 14 it speaks of "the good deposit that was entrusted" to Timothy. That speaks to the truth of the gospel that has been given to Timothy to go and share with the world. Paul encourages Timothy to guard/protect/hold onto what has been given to him. Timothy is to do this "with the help of the Holy Spirit" (v. 14). So this is a call for Timothy to faithfully share what was handed to him by Paul. Preach the truth, share the gospel, don't water it down or change it. Third, are both these true for us as well? Most definitely. As we serve God we have to entrust our ultimate rewards to God and serve without immediate repayment. And we have been given a gospel that we need to faithfully preach without changing it.