Thursday Devo
Scripture:
2 Timothy 2
8 Always remember that Jesus Christ, a descendant of King David, was raised from the dead. This is the Good News I preach. 9 And because I preach this Good News, I am suffering and have been chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained. 10 So I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen.
8 Always remember that Jesus Christ, a descendant of King David, was raised from the dead. This is the Good News I preach. 9 And because I preach this Good News, I am suffering and have been chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained. 10 So I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen.
Commentary:
2:8 Paul continues the thought of vv. 1–7 by rooting his exhortation in the realities of the gospel (cf. 1:9–11). Remember Jesus Christ. Paul certainly doesn’t think that Timothy is in danger of forgetting Jesus! Rather, this is a call to remain mindful of the truths of the gospel, which is centered on Jesus, the risen Messiah (offspring of David).
2:10 endure … for the sake of the elect. While there is disagreement among Christians on the doctrine of election, a biblical understanding of the doctrine does not undercut mission work but enables it. Paul endures precisely because of a certainty that, through his ministry, God will save some. See notes on Rom. 8:29; 8:30; Eph. 1:11.
Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 2339.
2:10 endure … for the sake of the elect. While there is disagreement among Christians on the doctrine of election, a biblical understanding of the doctrine does not undercut mission work but enables it. Paul endures precisely because of a certainty that, through his ministry, God will save some. See notes on Rom. 8:29; 8:30; Eph. 1:11.
Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 2339.
Questions:
- Paul preached to gospel to the very end, and he never got his miracle. The prison doors never flung open. The chains never hit the floor. God used Paul's circumstances for His purposes. Ultimately Paul's CONFINEMENT was God's ASSIGNMENT. His PRISON became his PULPIT. As we've been saying for weeks now, God will ALWAYS use your difficult circumstances for your ultimate good and for His glory. Is there a situation in your life that He might be wanting to grow you through? Is there pain in your life that you've hidden that He might want you to pull out into the light and use for His glory?
- Paul never let his circumstances kill his passion for Jesus. He was on fire for the gospel right up until the end. We all go through seasons in life where we might feel more distant from the Lord. What is your passion level right now? How would you describe your relationship with God at the moment... hot, cold or somewhere in between? How can we make sure we keep the fire burning?
Pray:
- That you would learn to allow God to use your prison for His glory.
- That God would light a fire in your heart.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
7. How can I trust that the Bible is still God’s Word today? I trust the Bible is still God’s Word today because Jesus rose from the dead, proving He was God and said His words would never pass away. Through the Holy Spirit, God inspired the writing of the Scripture, determined the canon of Scripture and protected the copying of Scripture so that we might know Him and worship Him to this day.
(Matthew 24:35; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:16-21; Revelation 22:18-19)
(Matthew 24:35; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:16-21; Revelation 22:18-19)
No Comments