The Word (Abide Devotion for September 3, 2015)

2 Timothy 3:10-4:8

¹⁰ You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, ¹¹ persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. ¹² In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, ¹³ while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. ¹⁴ But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, ¹⁵ and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶ All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, ¹⁷ so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

¹In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: ² Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. ³ For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. ⁴ They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. ⁵ But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

⁶ For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. ⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸ Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. ^[1]

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What stands out in this passage is Paul’s charge to Timothy to be devoted to the Scriptures – both for his own faith, and that of those he serves.

First Paul addresses Timothy’s dedication to the Scriptures for his own salvation and spiritual health. He encourages Timothy to view the Scriptures as a God-breathed gift for his own salvation, that can also teach, rebuke, correct and train. Paul points to the Scriptures as the means to prepare and equip Timothy for life in a context of opposition and persecution.

Then Paul addresses Timothy regarding the use of the Scripture in his ministry. He exhorts Timothy to be ready always to preach and teach the Word for the blessing and benefit of those he serves. He warns Timothy that many will not listen, but he is to carry out his task with patience and care.

In verse 5 Paul ties these two threads together for Timothy, the personal and the pastoral, calling on him to keep his head and carry on the ministry.

We are given the same gift as Timothy, the Word of God. And even though our lives and callings are very different from his, like Timothy, we have this twofold call to use the Word of God in our lives. First, we are to be devoted to hearing the Word and letting it do its “teaching, rebuking, correcting, training” work in our own lives and hearts. Then we are to take the Word and share the Word with others as we are led by the Lord.

Am I so devoted to the Word, for myself and for those around me? Am I listening? Am I letting it lead me and train me? Am I willing to share it as the Lord gives me opportunity?

So my prayer today is first one of thankfulness to God for entrusting me with His Word. I pray that my heart and mind will be receptive to what God is speaking to me in His Word whenever I encounter it. And I also pray that I may faithfully share that Word with others, so they too may be blessed through it, as it points them to Christ.

What is the Word leading you to pray about today?

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^[1] The New International Version. (2011). (2 Ti 3:10–4:8). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.