February 9, 2023

2 Timothy 2:1-13  (HCSB)
Be Strong in Grace
2 You, therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in the concerns of civilian life; he seeks to please the recruiter. 5 Also, if anyone competes as an athlete, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer ought to be the first to get a share of the crops. 7 Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. 8 Keep your attention on Jesus Christ as risen from the dead and descended from David. This is according to my gospel. 9 I suffer for it to the point of being bound like a criminal, but God’s message is not bound. 10 This is why I endure all things for the elect: so that they also may obtain salvation, which is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. 11 This saying is trustworthy: For if we have died with Him, we will also live with Him; 12 if we endure, we will also reign with Him; if we deny Him, He will also deny us; 13 if we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.

Andy Nash
In these verses Paul uses the superior qualities of two professions of his day as examples we should exemplify as Christians. He refers to both soldiers and athletes who train, endure hardships, please their supervisors, and compete according to the rules. What great characteristics from not only Paul’s day, but our time as well. We should display all of these traits in our Christian walk as we work to spread the Gospel. Paul is writing this letter while in chains in Rome. He uses the phrase “but God’s word is not chained”. Wow! Paul may be physically chained in Rome, but the word of God will never be chained and never controlled by man nor any other power. Paul was willing to endure chains and hardship so future generations may be set free from sin by the message of salvation through Jesus Christ. How hard are you willing to train and how much hardship are you willing to endure so that others may know about Jesus?