Key Verses: 5, 9, 12, 14
The
influence of a godly family should never be underestimated. Timothy had just
such a family. Also what is interesting to note is that Timothy’s spiritual
bloodline is through his mother and not his father. Paul mentions his
grandmother and his mother, but not the male counterparts. Moms, you have a
vital role to play. Never underestimate your worth. All of us are saved with
God’s purpose in mind. He wants us to live holy lives.
We don’t
have this relationship with God based on something we have or have not done. God’s
grace makes it happen. Never forget this. “You didn’t make that” has some truth
to it. Without God’s grace, nothing would exist. We couldn’t breathe, let alone
live godly lives, apart from everything God created. Every moment of every day
is grace.
Notice in
verse twelve that Paul is not sold on a philosophy or teaching, but on a
person. “I know whom”, not “I know what.” Knowing Jesus is the good news. When
we know Him, then our future is secure. If you take Jesus out of Christianity
you have nothing but hollow promises and pious words. But when we have Jesus,
the whole game changes. Jesus is like the wringer brought into the high school
football game for the all crucial playoffs. The talent of the one individual
overshadows all the other players. Their best efforts cannot stop the win from
coming. The win is inevitable.
Paul
urges Timothy to stick with the game plan, the simple truth of Jesus. Paul says
that this Truth must be guarded. It can be lost, but not stolen. If we pay
attention to the Holy Spirit, we won’t fall prey to Satan’s tricks. But it can
be hard in this world of competing voices to stay tuned in to the Holy Spirit.
Paul
names two individuals who lost their focus in ministry, and one who remained
faithful. I know that I want to remain faithful.