Back in my younger years, so like 15 years ago, I just started to learn about Christianity. I still had so much to learn, and still do today, but I started my foundation then. I grew up in a family of strong believers; almost all of my aunts and uncles were missionaries at one point and know the word. I grew up getting to know the word from everyone around me. I wouldn’t say it totally stuck with me until I was mature enough to grasp it. Today’s reading is 2nd Timothy Chapter 3, let me tell you about that!
The first part of the chapter talks all about the coming of God. End times if you will. It again points out the signs that come before the coming of our lord and savior. Paul says that these are some of the signs in Verses 2-7.
“For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. 6 For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, 7 always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.” (2nd Timothy 3:2-7)
I studied those words because each and everyone one of them looks very familiar to the world we live in today. This journal entry is not about end times but it is important to be aware what the bible says about what the signs are of the lord before he comes.
I want to focus on the second half of this chapter. It’s important to read and really understand what Paul is telling Timothy here in this letter.
“You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, 11 my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. 12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15 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. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (2nd Timothy 3:10-17)
All of this is important writing but I really want you to focus on verses 14-16. “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it.” We are talking about Timothy’s upbringing in the word of God and how his mother and grandmother taught him about Christ. “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.” This verse is so important to understand. It is saying that Timothy was taught the scriptures (Bible) when he was younger and do you know what that does? Learning the scriptures not only makes you wise but it also shapes you into a better image of Christ, which is where WE CAME FROM.
If you can take anything from this chapter in 2nd Timothy, it is to get into the word of God and truly commit to learning the scriptures. I struggle with it myself and it will take discipline but it will be worth it in the end. Have a great Thursday everyone and enjoy diving into the word!
