2 Timothy 1:9-14 (NIV)
9 He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 10 but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 11And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. 12 That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.
13 What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. 14 Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.
Reflection:
Today, we may not suffer the same type of persecution as the Apostle Paul, but we will face hardships in various ways as we live for Christ. Even during childhood, a simple prayer before lunch at school can be met with opposition and mockery from other children. As we persevere and choose to live for Christ throughout our various life stages, suffering will likely come in different ways and forms in this world.
Paul reminds Timothy of the Gospel, and of his own loyalty to the Gospel to the point of suffering. But more importantly, Paul reminds Timothy of God’s commitment to guard what he has entrusted to Him until the final day. So through the difficult and challenging times, Paul in turn urges Timothy to keep the Gospel as his pattern of sound teaching with faith and love in Christ, and to stay loyal to the Gospel by the power of the Spirit who lives in him.
Responding to the Transmission:
Even in today’s culture with it’s various types of teaching, the gospel stands as the only pattern of sound teaching. Let’s spend time in prayer today asking for the Spirit’s empowering to stay loyal to the Gospel.
