Weekly Devotional 1-18-16 Standing Firm
On his third missionary journey the apostle Paul left Timothy, his son in the faith (Ephesians 1:2), in Ephesus as he journeyed on into Macedonia (Acts 20:1). Timothy was a young but well-grounded defender of the faith whom Paul knew would become a strong advocate of the gospel (2nd Timothy 1:5-7). Paul also knew that because of Timothy’s youth he would be challenged by many in the church; especially false teachers who would work their way into the fellowship of believers. A few years after this assignment Paul was imprisoned in Rome. Being burdened for Timothy, Paul wrote two letters of encouragement and instruction. In the first letter Paul charged him thusly; “18This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, 19having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck” (1 Timothy 1:18-19 NKJV ).
Paul encouraged Timothy not to be swayed by the persuasiveness of certain false teachers who had gained a voice in the church, but with love to stand firm (1st Timothy 1:4-7) in defense of the true gospel. He was to hold to the faith delivered to him and in good conscience of that faith hold unto and teach truth. In his second letter Paul encouraged Timothy with these words; “15Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2nd Timothy 15). This was more than an encouragement. It was a charge, a command. Timothy had a responsibility before God to lead his congregation (the church at Ephesus) toward maturity. Does not this same charge fall to every truly born again believer, especially those who have been called to teach or preach the word of God? Yes it does!
Timothy’s accurate proclamation of the gospel was just part of his responsibility. He was also not to allow false teachers a platform or a voice. Two such persons were Hymenaeus and Alexander a.k.a. Philetus. They taught that the resurrection had already happened and such teaching was weakening the faith of some (1st Timothy 1:19-20; 2nd Timothy 2:17-18). Paul’s messages (letters) to Timothy and to all truly born again Christian’s is that we are to be diligent in our study of God’s word, we are teach (proclaim) the gospel with love, and we are not to give a platform or a voice to false teachers.
Having given Timothy sound instruction and encouragement in his two letters, Paul closes his second letter with these words; “1I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 5But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry” (2 Timothy 4:1-5 NKJV).
Timothy was instructed to convince his audience (his congregation) of the Gospel’s truth. He was to rebuke (set straight) any offerings made by listeners that were contrary to that truth and he was to exhort them to pursue sound doctrine. This must be the goal of every “born again Christian” today, for we are all teachers to one extent or another.
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Transforming Power; The Work of God on Behalf of Man
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