2 Timothy
I recently just finished a study with my life group here in Manhattan about 2nd Timothy. This is Paul’s last letter that he writes from prison to Timothy before he is executed.I feel like I’ve learned a lot over this past semester studying his letter and I just wanted to share some of the main points I’ve come away with.
In the beginning there he talks about true suffering for the gospel. When I look at my own life I really tend to never see that. It seems like there has been so many times where I have an opportunity to share the gospel and never know what to say or how to say it. I’m so caught up in the ways of the world I can never bring myself to step out in faith and thats definitely something I feel conflicted in and am really starting to wrestle with and understand. For me I feel likes its a state of comfort. I think everyone wants that in their lives. But we need to suffer for the gospel, and find joy and peace in our suffering knowing we are furthering Gods kingdom. Their are tough roads ahead my friends.
I’d like to share a little something from his letter:
“He is about to break into the open with his rule, so proclaim the Message with intensity; keep on your watch. Challenge, warn, and urge your people. Don’t ever quit. Just keep it simple.”
“Don’t every quit.” That sentence really hit home with me. When I think about where my problems are in sharing starts out when I quit. So many times during the week I quit. I’m not motivated. I slack in my prayer life and my thoughts. Lately my motivation to keep going has been to really live like the gospel is alive. More prayer. That God’s coming back very soon and to be ready and prepared!! To be more kingdom minded. That when I look back on my life I don’t want to be in regret for the sin I was never to overcome and the people I was never to reach. God is life and happiness. And a purpose driven life is to live for Christ. To live is christ to die is gain. Life is to short to be comfortable. Eternity is what we should long for and whats to come. Why should we quit? There is no reason to quit! True life is found in Christ. So lets live life.
May we suffer for the gospel, never quit, and live fulfilled purpose driven lives to further the kingdom. So that when we look back on life we’re satisfied. And we can look forward to heaven and eternity and the joy that awaits us.
