PAUL'S LOVING COUNSEL TO TIMOTHY

2 Tim. 1:1-4

Morning Meditation 5/3/2015

2 Timothy 1:1-4, "Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus, To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day; Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy;"

Paul approaches Timothy with a tenderness of a father to a son. The first word that Timothy would read was Paul. That must have stirred joy and comfort in the heart of Paul's young associate. Paul said in another place that he had no one like minded when it came to Timothy. That means that Timothy could readily stand in Paul's stead in front of any congregation on earth and hear Paul speak. Because what Paul taught Timothy, that is what you heard. Timothy knew what Paul would go far in any congregation and what he wouldn't.

As we think of Paul's loving counsel to Timothy, I will use a few key words that will spell out Paul's counsel to him.

STIR UP THE GIFT THAT IS IN THEE

The word "stir" means, " to kindle up, inflame one's mind, strength, zeal." The verb is present tense which represents continuous action in the present tense of one's life. Many good authorities believe that Timothy was brilliant but very timid. And that would explain this exhortation to him.

I remember the first message (if you could call it that!) I delivered. I think my knees changed legs a couple of times!!! I understand Timothy's timidity. I know what it is to stir up one's self.

Another important thing to look at is the words "gift of God." He received it by the laying on of Paul's hands. This was probably what we would call an ordination service. What ever it was, Timothy received the "gift of God" by the laying on of Paul's hands. Since this is followed by the words, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear . . ." it suggests that Timothy received a gift for preaching. I believe every God-called preacher has this gift. The gift does not come developed, It has to be developed by the one to whom the gift is given. It leaves the preacher with the right attitude toward the ministry. He knows if he has a dimes worth of sense that his abilities come from God. I watch young preachers who make their call known. Most of them make a decision in the excitement of the hour. He is stirred mightily to take the gospel to the world.. But the world is too big. In a little while the schooling that he needs, and the manifold information he gets from the students who can't handle their own problems much less a missionaries.

If God does gift a person when He calls him, and he cooperates with God in the development of that gift, and if God's people are blessed by his preaching, then who is to be given credit for his excellent preaching? If it is a genuine gift from God, then God is the one who should get the glory. I am confident that if anything good comes out of my ministry, it will be God who does it. It is His calling, It is His furnishings I work with, It is His power that gets the results.

HOLD FAST THE FORM OF SOUND WORDS IN THE DAYS OF APOSTASY

2 Timothy 1:13, "Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus."

The words "hold fast" means, "to have (hold) in the hand, in the sense of wearing, to have (hold) possession of the mind (refers to alarm, agitating emotions, etc.), to hold fast keep, to have or comprise or involve, to regard or consider." It is a strong word that shows that one is in obvious possession of this truth. It is in the imperative mood which makes it a command expressing urgency.

A good explanation of this is found in 1 Timothy 6:3-5, "If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strife's of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmising, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself."

I believe that we are in the days of apostasy. Many preachers will preach if their preaching does not offend. We should not intentionally offend. But when it comes right down to it, we are to preach the truth without compromise. When this is done, it will offend some. Some who are offended will just leave and find a church where they are comfortable. Others will attack the preacher and it will be his responsibility to tell them that this is a Bible truth and to reject it would be to reject God's Word. He should not move from his position.

We are living in the last days and the command to "hold fast sound words" is as much to us as it was to Timothy.

ENDURE HARDNESS AS A GOOD SOLDIER

2 Timothy 2:3-5, "Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully."

There is no such thing as an easy Christianity. Paul said in 2 Timothy 3:12, "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." And the truth of this verse has not changed since Paul wrote it by inspiration of God.

God's people are called soldiers. We are in a Spiritual war. There are so many casualties. Satan has the weapons that he uses constantly. Lust is a weapon that has put many Christians on the shelf in our day. Preachers who were at one time effective, their voice has been silenced by sin. Satan knows our weak points, and you can be sure that is where he will attack. Covetousness is another weapon that has put many a Christian out of the battle. Paul exhorts 1 Timothy 6:5-11, "Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness."

STUDY FOR GOD'S APPROVAL

2 Timothy 2:15, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." The Bible itself should be the book of which we read most of the time. I read other book, some very good. Some have one good chapter and the rest is trash. I will buy a book for one chapter and not criticize the author for bungling the rest. Iv'e done a lot of that myself. And I thank God for the charity of my brethren.

But "study" in the text means "to make haste, to diligently search." The words, "to show thyself" means to make apparent. The words "unto God" means that our work is for Him and He it is that inspects our work and knows the amount of time and the diligence with which we study.

Somebody says, "Boy if you don't satisfy those deacons down at that church you've had it." I have never thought of satisfying people. I have always taken it for granted that those who are saved and members of the church wanted the hear the word of God as it is without fear or compromise. I used to hear Bro. Roloff say, "The preacher needs to find an empty room, go in it with his King James Bible, and come out to his pulpit with a message from another world. I like that. Amen and amen!!!

SOME THINGS WE NEED TO FLEE

2 Timothy 2:22-25, "Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strife. And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;"

These verses need a very little comment. The word "flee" means run like Joseph did when Potiphar's wife tried to solicit him for sexual gratification. Paul says "Flee" from this. Pornography and adultery were rampant in the days of the early church just as these sins are today. The people of God are to avoid even the appearance of evil.

On the positive side Paul said, "follow righteousness" which means walk in the fulness of the holy Spirit so that Christ is seen living out His life through us. I see a lot of Christians who do not seem to be afraid of falling into sin. They get too close and familiar with the opposite sex. I pastored many years and I think I can say that sooner or later a person like that will wind up in the bed with that person. And no quicker than you can say it their lives are ruined and the families are thrown into chaos. Children are split between parents. No wonder we have a bunch of mad kids on our hands today. They have never had the opportunity to be loved by parents who care. God loves the children and there will be a many a father and mother lose rewards at the Judgment Seat of Christ for not accepting their responsibility of parenting.

WE ARE TO CONTINUE IN THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE LEARNED

2 Timothy 3:14, "But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;"

Paul is speaking to Timothy. But what Timothy learns from Paul he is going to teach it in the churches. So this is for us. When we learn truth as Christians, those things that we learn are eternal. They are things that we are to continue in the rest of our lives.

Paul used the word "learned" and "hast been assured of" and "knowing of whom thou hast learned them." First, truth never changes. So when we learn a divine truth we can count on it never changing. The words "hast been assured of," is the conviction of the thing learned.. Then he emphasizes the messenger that brought the message to him. We should appreciate the man of God that brought the truth to us.

May the Lord bless these words to our hearts.

In Christ

Bro. White