2 Timothy 3:10-17: Encouragement for the journey.(please click here)

As we saw in yesterday’s reading, Timothy had to serve in a spiritually unhealthy atmosphere. There were lots of heretical ‘germs’ in the air. False teaching was all around. It’s alluded to once again in today’s reading: ‘’Unscrupulous con men will continue to exploit the faith. They’re as deceived as the people they lead astray. As long as they are out there, things can only get worse.’’ The Message. However, Paul continues, ‘’Don’t let it faze you.’’

There were encouragements for Timothy to help him keep going:

  • The example of Paul (10, 11): Mentoring involves allowing people to get close enough to you to observe your life and benefit from it. ‘’You’ve been a good apprentice to me, a part of my teaching, my manner of life, direction, faith, steadiness, love, patience, troubles, sufferings – suffering along with me in all the grief I had to put up with in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. And you also well know that God rescued me!’’ The Message. Timothy had seen Paul ‘up close and personal’. That must have put nerve into him for the struggle he faced in his current ministry.
  • The willingness to face facts (12): ‘’Anyone who wants to live all out for Christ is in for a lot of trouble; there’s no getting around it.’’ The Message. Timothy saw this in Paul’s life as well as hearing it from his lips. But he also observed how God brought him through. He saw clearly that what doesn’t kill you can work for you and make you stronger; make you better. We have to be realistic about the fact that in this world we will have trouble (John 16:33). But it doesn’t have to be the end of the world. We can persevere through it.
  • The power of the Word (14-17). As a leader you need to stick close to the Bible. Don’t stray from it, but ‘’continue in’’ ‘’There’s nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another – showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.’’ The Message. There is no book like the Bible to strengthen you for the fight.

Prayer: Thank you Lord that we are never without encouragement.