Timothy One;
Greetings in Grace Mercy, and Peace from God... Not himself but from the one that gives Paul strength as well as me.
Timothy's faith and Heritage
The encouragement that Paul speaks of isn't anything that he can do alone. But it is through prayer that he reaches Timothy's heart, through the Lord as he prays night and day for his brother and fellow servant in Christ.
As well as his prayers Paul is encouraged and is said to be filled with tears as he knows the hardships that he is going through but joyful because he knows and is confident in Timothy's unfailing service to the God that saves him.
Being confident in Timothy's salvation and strength he urges Timothy to use the gifts that God has given, not through the spirit of fear but from the power and love of a sound mind
Serving cheerfully, joyfully?
God has not given us a spirit of fear, The holy spirit is the gift unto us and nowhere does it say that when the holy spirit is within you (After salvation, being a new creation) does it say to be fearful or timid. Having this gift God desires us to use the spirit of power not fear, which power banishes fear.
The sufferings of the gospel is told through the story of our Lord Jesus. His afflictions, his carrying of the cross, the burdens and the sins for us. Which is the power of Christ, and the saving grace that feeds our hearts.
Paul speaks of the amazing grace that Christ had done for us, that it was God that has called us into salvation, giving a holy calling. A calling being something that is bestowed unto us, and the calling isnt what we were to be given but what God has given to us. A free gift, the death, and resurrection and saving grace of Jesus Christ.
To not be ashamed,
For i know whom i have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what i have committed to Him until that day.
Having appeared to Paul with the transformation he knows who he serves. The man that had persecuted Gods people now serves him with all his strength. And as a committment even until death, he isnt ashamed. He isnt cowardice, but he takes on the full armor, the power and love of a sound mind that he talks about earlier in the passage.
Be loyal to the Faith
Timothy Two;
Be strong in Grace
Strength through the grace of Christ Jesus, which Paul understands so well within his own life, and of mine.
through grace, teach others that will be faithful men so that the knowledge and power through Christ may be known.
The metaphor of soldiers
At least when i think of soldiers i do think of brave, courageous individuals that fight for a cause that they believe in. In the same way Paul asks timothy (and in turn he teaches this to his students) to endure like soldiers do. The courageous acts of those individuals as they fight a war they have won.
Paul goes on to speak about Athletes playing by the rules and hard working farmers must be first to partake (Be characterized by) of the crops. These things ... are things that Paul asks Timothy to question the Lord and try to receive understanding.
Fully engulfed in the exercise or activity that you are doing?
God may be asking us to play within his grace, and understand that we must be a part of the harvest? that we were once in the harvest until someone, or God himself plucked us out?
Paul goes on to talk about the elect, and that the elect can also receive salvation, and that he would endure all things because the word of God is not chained or bound by anything. But is free to give and free to receive.
But who is the elect?
all things? well in Genesis it does say that all men (and women) were created in His image, so i mean it could be taken in the way that the elect are those people that do decide to partake in his body and blood but also those that havent. Giving them an opportunity to obtain salvation, but more specifically the elect is those that do choose, without a doubt.
The next few verses speaks of the death and resurrection we experience, the life that we experience as he is our king, as we folow him.
Its like if we do this he'll do this back to us, an eye for an eye haha.
Approved and Disapproved Workers
These workers that Paul is speaking of, wants us to not be ashamed of the Gospel,
ungodliness comes from profane and idle bablings.
If this is done, then the message that they speak, which in a couple verses back talks about words to no profit that ruins the ears hearers.
But even with this "cancer" spreading because of profane and idle babling Paul says that the word of God stands, and like in the gospel the Lord knows who is his, like the shepard that would go search if even one of his sheep went missing and the joyful actions done if he is found.
Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity
Definition of iniquity; immoral or grossly unfair behavior
Paul asks us to let go of the iniquity that we face. Man, its so hard though. I must say that even as a follower of Christ the world is so enticing. I struggle with my sins every day, and its always the same thing. A little lust here, a little coveting there, anger, bitterness stuff like that just rule me and it helps a cancer spread through my veins. Paul speaking about those people not being allowed to talk is ... questionable for me. Where are my qualification to be this, a leader. Nowhere but through the grace of God, that justifies me and gives me salvation and a light and a second, third, fourth, FIFTH A BAJILLION chances. But its not so that grace may abound so that sin may come more but that grace may abound so that sin may be no more.
Vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay
these vessels are used for his glory, i think paul is saying that although these pieces in Gods puzzle may be different there all used for something whether it being for honor or dishonor.
Yeah, so it says therefore if anyone cleanses himself (through the blood of the lamb, asking for forgiveness) from the latter, he willbe a vessel for honor, sanctified (Set apart or declared holy) and usedful for the master, prepared for every good work.
Flee (RUN!!!) also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
run away from these things with others, fighting together. Even as soldiers are in platoons. Asking us to fight this fight together, as brothers and sisters. As Paul is being encouraged by Timothy and vice versa he asks us to do the same.
But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing they generate strife
there are arguments that you can avoid. Strife being, sin. The hatred or bitterness towards another brother :/ oh man.
it also affects the churhc.
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 (To Christ)
and in this God wants to grant them repentence so that they may know the truth, at time using us as gateways, so that we may act according to the knowledge of the grace that saves us.
and they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.
these are the things taht are hoped. I was once snared, my senses captured and unable to see out of dark covered Eyes. but that good day, oh that good day. knowing his grace, feeling his love and embrace. His will is on the tip of my tongue, the edge of my heart, i need to fight. I need to run.
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