Stay True To The Word

Paul advised Timothy to get rid of unsound doctrines, realizing that they would only cause confusion and lead to division and acceptance of sin in the church.  The teachers that teach them are not focused on God, but their own benefit and are to be avoided, as Romans 16:17-18 warns.  “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.  For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.” 

One of the things to look at in trying to decide if a teacher is worth listening to is the results of their teaching in their personal lives and those of their family.  Far too often the public persona is completely different than the person’s home life.  Hebrews 13:7 advises, “Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.”  Paul had been very open about his life with the people, and Timothy was very familiar with how he lived. 

II Timothy 3:10-11 reminds Timothy of what he knew about Paul.  “But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.”  Timothy was very familiar with Paul’s teachings, but he also knew how he lived each day in private and what his purpose was.  He had seen Paul’s faith demonstrated repeatedly, aqnd his endurance and patience when people did not do what he hoped.  He also knew how unpopular Paul was and how often he was attacked, as well as his daily struggles with health issues, in town after town, yet Paul did not give up.  Thanks to God, he was able to fulfill his ministry despite the problems. 

Timothy needed to be aware that he would face similar struggles.   II Timothy 3:12-13 warns, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.  But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.”   Every Christian who allows the Holy Spirit to lead him will suffer persecution.  In Matthew 5:11-12, Jesus said, “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.  Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”  The persecution will increase as people turn farther from God. and we are warned that they will.  We need to be worried when Satan and his followers do not attack, because that implies a person is not living a godly life.   As long as people do not serve God, Satan doesn’t bother them very much because he doesn’t want them to go looking for something better. 

We learn to handle struggles by observing other people, and leaders who never seem to have struggles present a distorted idea of what it means to be a Christian.  To be an effective witness people need to see us in real life situations so they can see our faith in action.  There are no perfect people, who have no problems, so anyone who presents such a façade is faking it.   Unfortunately many have been convinced that people will lose respect if they see flaws in a leader. 

We are not to let the persecutions and trial discourage us.  II Timothy 3:14-17 commands, “But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”    We should continue to follow the scriptures, knowing how they came about and understanding they tell us what God wants.

Our obedience is evidence of our love, as John 14:21 tells us.  “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.”  In order to obey, it will be necessary to study the scriptures.  If we will make the effort to study and obey them, we will receive an awareness of God’s presence in our life.   In the process of eliminating false beliefs, we need to be careful we don’t throw out scriptural teachings.   All scripture is given by God and is valuable for teaching us how to please God.