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Titus 2:6-8

Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.

Personal challenge

What is driving the direction of our country, a country founded on the principles of a loving God, to be such a judgmental, self-focused, angry, unloving country? Maybe a key contributor to this is that we have walked away from the sound doctrine of the early church. And when I say early church, I mean the one that started around AD 30. Paul was exhorting Titus, as well as us, to be sober-minded in our actions, to perform good and godly works, and to live out doctrine in our lives that produce integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, and sound speech. Instead, we have created and adhere to a doctrine that is self-focused, self-aggrandizing, angry, judgmental, and lifeless. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

Titus 1:1

Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness,

Personal Challenge

In Paul’s day, the concept of being a bondservant had two very different and strong definitions. The Jewish concept, based on the Old Testament usually meant a person who had dedicated their entire life to their master. The bondservant would often end up as the master’s right hand man. In the Roman empire, the bondservant was one who had lost everything including his ability to choose for himself and who was totally submissive to his master, whether good or bad. Paul determined that his role and calling as an apostle fit both of these definitions and he was okay with that. Do we, today, put that much faith in our Lord? Are we willing to give over our entire being and our desires to do what we want to do so that God can use us to build His kingdom? Are we acting on the knowledge of the truth that He has bestowed on us? Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

2 Timothy 4:18

And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!

Encouraging Words

Once again we are reminded that we are not alone on our lifelong journey to theosis. Our Lord is with us on this journey and will deliver us from any evil that might come our way. We can choose to accept and receive that help or press on into the midst of the evil and receive the consequences accordingly. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

2 Timothy 4:7-8

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

Personal Challenge

Life is tough. Paul talks about fighting the fight and running the race. Living a godly, Christ-centered life is not for the weak or the uncommitted. It is an all or nothing decision that we must make. And when we choose to commit our all to the life of Christ we can expect to be beaten, spit upon, ostracized, and even crucified. But there is a plus side to all of this. What we choose to give up in this world turns out to be a down payment on all the treasures that God has in store for us in eternity. We believe, we know, that in that day He will give us our crown of righteousness and He will welcome us into His Kingdom and the presence of our glorious God. This may be our personal challenge, but it will definitely be worth it. Glory be to God!

2 Timothy 4:1-4

I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For 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; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.

Personal challenge

We have been duly charged by Apostle Paul to be ready to stand firm on the teachings of our Lord through His Church. Our charge is to preach the Word of God, Jesus Christ, to be ready at all times to give an answer with regards to whom we put our hope in, Jesus Christ, and to rebuke, exhort, and to do it all with long-suffering. We are also to be on our guard against fake teachings and doctrines that will infiltrate the body of Christ. We have our work cut out for us. Glory be to God!

2 Timothy 3:16-17

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 complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Encouraging Words

The teachings and writings that we follow have been inspired by our loving God so that we would have what we need to live Godly, Christ-centered lives. Christ, himself is the living embodiment of the Word of God. He is the Light that illumines our way. Glory be to God!

2 Timothy 3:12

Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

Personal Challenge

So, after reading this simple verse, I have asked myself “Am I suffering persecution?” The answer is, “No!” So, if I am not suffering persecution, then does that mean that I am not desiring to live godly in Christ Jesus? That is a tough one. We do live in a country and a time where I am not persecuted for being a Christian. Yet! But that day may be coming. We do live in a culture, though, where if I try to live a Christlike life, people around me will get agitated. We have become so polarized in our thinking that if I try to think or behave outside of the cultural box that everyone wants to force me into, then some form of persecution is exhibited. Try it out sometime and see what happens. Be apolitical, neither Republican or Democrat and see what happens. Love those around you, no matter what their sexual preference, political leanings, social agenda, race, color, or creed and see what happens. Love and take care of the downtrodden, the widow, the orphan, the migrant, or the outcast and see what happens. Maybe the reason I am not seeing persecution in my life is that I am not following in the footsteps of Jesus. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

2 Timothy 2:22-26

Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.

Personal challenge

This is another one of those passages that is packed full of the truths that we need to make it through every day. What should we avoid in our lives? Youthful lusts. Foolish and ignorant disputes that generate strife. Do not quarrel. We avoid these so that we can do the things that God wants us to do. What are these things? Pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, especially with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Be gentle to all, able to teach. Be patient and humble in our dealings with others. We are God’s instruments in this world to show them who God is and how much He loves them. This should dictate to us the behaviors to live our lives by. Glory be to God!