Today’s Thoughts – 4 February 2021

We now see a shift in focus from Paul, yet on the same topic. We’ve been talking about false teachers and the destruction they bring. Yet Paul now contrasting that with his own ministry that Timothy has been a witness to. Paul is essentially mentoring Timothy with his life.

Firstly, it is important to realize that people are watching us. They watch what we do, where we go, what we say, how we interact with people, the jobs we do, etc. Paul tells Timothy that he “fully know[s]” the things that follow. This is Paul emphatically saying that his life is the attributes that follow. Are our lives like the Apostle Paul’s? Can we say that people fully know that we live Godly?

Next, the attributes in these verses that Paul is referring to in his life, he urged Timothy to have in his life (1 Timothy 6:11). This is important to us because it gives us an example of how to mentor and lead others with our lives. If we teach that one should live with purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, and patience, we too must live with the same attributes.

Finally, realize that if we live for God, He will bless us. However, there will come a time when those around us don’t want to live for God and don’t want us to live for God. Therefore, persecutions will come. And there is a promise that “all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”

The word “will” in that verse isn’t an action, it is an attitude. It is our will to live for God, and thus we will suffer persecution. Some people will just not understand why we live the way we do and discriminate against us. Others will be hostile towards us like they were to Paul (read more in Acts 13-14). But God is faithful and will bless our lives if we live for Him!