Well, after losing all of 2 Timothy and needing to reread and rewrite my studies for the book, I gained new insights to this chapter specifically. First off, when Paul, in verse 3 says, "Share in the suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus", and then gives three examples of enduring and suffering: the soldier, the athlete and the farmer, I was reminded that suffering is part of the cost of following Christ. That is the point of the examples Paul gave. A soldier does not get himself caught up in things of the civilians- his interests are that of following the orders given to him by his ranking officer. An athlete does not 'win a race' if he doesn't compete fairly. A farmer, since it is his own crop, should have first dibs on his own crop. A follower of Jesus will suffer because Jesus suffered- it's part of the package. The suffering that we endure as believers though, doesn't weaken us, but instead- it strengthens us. The next time you endure suffering, be encouraged that it is part of our walk with Jesus. Suffering is going to happen. Don't let it discourage you- embrace it, and allow it to build you up.
I find verses 11-13 so amazing. If we die with Jesus, we are also raised with Him and have eternal life. If we endure life, following Him, we will also be glorified with Him. If we reject Him, He will also reject us. Even though we fail Him repeatedly, He will never fail us, for He is perfect. How encouraging. I know that I fail and to know that He never does, strengthens me and magnifies how amazing my Lord is.
I remember, just a couple years back, when I called myself a follower of Jesus, but I had a porn addiction, a drinking problem, an idolatry problem, a vanity problem, and many other problems. I remember eight years ago, when I called myself a Christian, but was snorting cocaine regularly and living a very promiscuous life. Although I called myself a believer in both of these seasons of life- I hadn't cleansed myself of my sin. I was sinning intentionally and hadn't repented. At this time in my life, I was a vessel for dishonorable use. It wasn't until I repented and rid myself of these iniquities that I became a vessel for honorable use- set apart as holy. Of course, sin is part of our human nature, but intentional, purposeful sin is not. God asks us to rid ourselves of our youthful passions, of our sinful desires and live a holy life, pleasing to the Lord. If you are like I was, calling yourself a believer, but living in sin- I would question your salvation. Are you a vessel for honorable or dishonorable use? At the time of living in sin, if you had asked me if I was a Christian, I would have undoubtedly said yes. But that is where so many people are misunderstanding. As verse 19 says, let those who call the name of Lord, their Lord, repent and stop living in sin. Also verse 21- if anyone cleanses himself (repents of their sin), that is when God takes what is dishonorable, and makes them honorable. That's when you are set apart as holy and are used for His work. If you are reading this, and have a check about the life you are living, I encourage you repent. You can email me and I can walk you through what repentance means, and encourage you in a new direction of following Jesus- not just with your mouth, but with your heart, soul and mind. Your life will be changed forever. You think you are a Christian now? My life now is nothing in comparison to what it was when I thought myself to be a Christian. There is a transformation that happens when you follow Christ- and your new life will be evidence of it. Are you an honorable vessel or a dishonorable one?
~Leanne~
I find verses 11-13 so amazing. If we die with Jesus, we are also raised with Him and have eternal life. If we endure life, following Him, we will also be glorified with Him. If we reject Him, He will also reject us. Even though we fail Him repeatedly, He will never fail us, for He is perfect. How encouraging. I know that I fail and to know that He never does, strengthens me and magnifies how amazing my Lord is.
I remember, just a couple years back, when I called myself a follower of Jesus, but I had a porn addiction, a drinking problem, an idolatry problem, a vanity problem, and many other problems. I remember eight years ago, when I called myself a Christian, but was snorting cocaine regularly and living a very promiscuous life. Although I called myself a believer in both of these seasons of life- I hadn't cleansed myself of my sin. I was sinning intentionally and hadn't repented. At this time in my life, I was a vessel for dishonorable use. It wasn't until I repented and rid myself of these iniquities that I became a vessel for honorable use- set apart as holy. Of course, sin is part of our human nature, but intentional, purposeful sin is not. God asks us to rid ourselves of our youthful passions, of our sinful desires and live a holy life, pleasing to the Lord. If you are like I was, calling yourself a believer, but living in sin- I would question your salvation. Are you a vessel for honorable or dishonorable use? At the time of living in sin, if you had asked me if I was a Christian, I would have undoubtedly said yes. But that is where so many people are misunderstanding. As verse 19 says, let those who call the name of Lord, their Lord, repent and stop living in sin. Also verse 21- if anyone cleanses himself (repents of their sin), that is when God takes what is dishonorable, and makes them honorable. That's when you are set apart as holy and are used for His work. If you are reading this, and have a check about the life you are living, I encourage you repent. You can email me and I can walk you through what repentance means, and encourage you in a new direction of following Jesus- not just with your mouth, but with your heart, soul and mind. Your life will be changed forever. You think you are a Christian now? My life now is nothing in comparison to what it was when I thought myself to be a Christian. There is a transformation that happens when you follow Christ- and your new life will be evidence of it. Are you an honorable vessel or a dishonorable one?
~Leanne~
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