2 Timothy 3
The picture the Bible presents of the
condition of the world is a sad one filled with degeneration. While some will speak of the advancement of
mankind and argue that we are becoming more enlightened with our technological
advances, medical discoveries, and socially progressive morality, if one were
to watch the news, we might receive a different impression. Violence, oppression, corruption, greed, racism,
and every form of immorality are still present – and one could argue that, if
anything, people are becoming more effective and competent in these areas. So, do we have really cool technology? Yes.
Does that make us better than previous generations? No.
Through our entire lives we live in, “days
of difficulty,” facing a myriad of temptations this world places before
us. Just as Paul warned Timothy, we are
to avoid such temptations (becoming, “lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant,
abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless,
unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous,
reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers
of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying
its power.”) We should also expect
opposition is we live godly lives against such trends.
Paul’s message to Timothy and us in this
passage is to place our hope for this life – and the one to come – in the same
place he placed his: in Jesus who has
been revealed to us by His Word as the crucified, risen Lord. “But as for you, continue in what you
have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and
how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which
are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All
Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for
correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may
be complete, equipped for every good work.”
Why is God’s Word so important to our
lives as Christians? It is because it is,
“breathed out by God,” which is another way of saying that the Holy Spirit is
at work within it to deliver faith and salvation as well as instruction and
power to live in the world while not being of the world. In the Word God gives us His presence for our
salvation.
O God, help me live faithfully relying on
Your Spirit’s power, resting in Jesus’ forgiveness, and looking ahead to being
with You in glory. Amen.
Comments