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2 Timothy 2:15 (ASV)
15 Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman
that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth.
A sports
writer once asked tom Landry why his players were most often on the wining
side. Coach Landry answered, "My players only play a few more seconds
than the other teams do."
When
others are looking for a way to quit early the winners are the ones who keep
going all the way until the whistle blows. So it is here in this passage that
Paul tells Timothy that he must give his best energies to pursuing God and
His Word. This is not a game to play that only gets you across the goal line
this is something that is designed to get you across the line into eternity
in good shape.
As Paul
is preparing to give his life for the gospel some would say, "What a
shame that he had to give his life." My response is, "Wat a shame
that many others who say they follow Christ never do give their lives."
You see Paul did not give his life at the end of his life he had given his
life several decades before so the walk to the martyr's hall was nothing that
Paul was not fully aware of.
No one
can come to Jesus unless he gives everything, nothing held back. This thing
of following Christ is a no holes barred commitment. There is no room for
those who want the best of this life now and the best of heaven later. Those
who have been born again are those who have forsaken the things of this life
and taken up their cross and are headed out of the city gate along with Paul.
Our cry is, "This life is not our life, it belongs to Christ. If he
chooses to use my life in this way for his glory then I will go gladly."
Paul is
telling Timothy to stay the course, don't give up, keep going until the end.
Do your best to present yourself to God a workman that does not need to be
ashamed righty handling the Word of Truth.
Timothy
stay the course. When others are quitting and going for the gusto stay the
course. When others are leaving in droves because the church is just not with
it, stay the course. When others are looking for some way to feel good about
themselves apart from repentance and confession, stay the course.
What are
some ways you are being tempted presently to walk away or quit early? Take
the Word of God and study it and read it and meditate on it until the reasons
for quitting or giving up are gone. The Word is the means of grace by which
you stay the course. So let Paul's words to Timothy keep you focused on
Christ so you too can stay the course.
Let's
all pull together when we meet to encourage each other in the Word of God as
we study it and seek to obey it.
Staying
the Course No Matter What!
Pastor Phil
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