Consider: 2 Timothy 2

This entire chapter is one of challenge. Paul doesn’t beat around the bush, he gets straight to the point with Timothy and he encourages him in his faith and relationship with God.

First Challenge:

2 Timothy 2: 4 – “And as Christ’s soldier, do not let yourself become tied up in the affairs of this life, for then you cannot satisfy the One who has enlisted you in His army.”

How plain and simple is that? So often we allow things of this life to entangle our hearts. Notice Paul didn’t use the normal Christian cliche of just “keeping God first”. He said if we got focused and distracted by this life, we then could not truly satisfy Jesus. It’s more than just trying to keep God first but actually living your life so that you are satisfying the heart of God.

Second Challenge:

2 Timothy 2:10 – “I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen.”

Again, a plain and simple challenge. Paul is letting Timothy know of his suffering for the Gospel, yet he is making sure Timothy knows that it is worth it!

Is it worth it to us? We barely know what suffering is here in America because of our freedoms. Would you be willing to endure anything?

Third Challenge:

2 Timothy 2:19 – “Those who claim they belong to the LORD must turn away from all wickedness.”

Where do we even get the idea that sinning is OK for Christians? I’ve heard many believers talk of since Jesus has forgiven all of our sins for all time then it doesn’t matter what we do after we believe. Need I remind you that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks?

Paul says that we MUST turn away from all wickedness…

Fourth Challenge:

2 Timothy 2:22 – “Run from anything that stimulates youthful lust.”

He didn’t say walk, he said run. And he didn’t just say run, but run from. Get away from the junk. Sin is so not worth it. It will destroy our lives.
There are a few other challenges in this chapter, but I felt it important to focus on those above.

In this middle of this chapter, Paul gives us a look at part of our reward for meeting these challenges and fulfilling them.

2 Timothy 2:21 – “If you keep yourself pure, you will be a utensil God can use for His purpose. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use for every good work.”

I don’t know about you, but I like being used by God. I like being ready when Jesus says GO. The challenges that Paul laid out in this chapter will keep us ready.