# 51 2019 Devotion, 2 Tim. 3 The Word of the Lord! Read all of chapter 3. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw Gremar and I closer to God and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living. All passages are taken from the NIV.
2 Timothy 3:16,17 “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.”
In Paul’s last days he was starting to see Satan’s opposition to the gospel message. This is still going on today. Paul lays out a long list of actions not compatible with the Word of God vs. 1-5. “There will be terrible times in the last days.” We tend to think that the last days are way ahead of us but that is not the case; the last days are from the time of Jesus’ ascension to His coming again at the end of time. We are in the last days. What we are experiencing today in terms of disregard for life, for the unborn, the lovers of money, the lack of respect and love, we may put every word Paul writes into our experience today. At the risk of being discouraging we would be wise to recognize the signs of the times.
We take comfort in Paul’s charge to Timothy: “you know my teaching, my way of life, my purpose,” Paul’s way of life, teaching, and purpose is to live the gospel of Jesus, to teach the gospel of Jesus, and to promote the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul’s purpose is the purpose of every true follower of Jesus. That purpose involves faith; we all know what we have believed. That purpose involves patience with those not yet saved, with those who reject the gospel. That purpose involves love for the lost, for those searching peace, and salvation.
that purpose involves endurance, and sadly, persecution at times. Paul also warns us that “everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” Persecution is increasing in our time; Satan knows his time is short.
God’s comfort comes to us by way of the Holy Scriptures, making us “wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” The bottom line for true followers of Jesus is this: “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.” May God continue to equip us to fulfil his purposes in our lives on earth.
© cgvanwyk, all rights reserved.
Heavenhigh 