Daily Devotions
2 Timothy
"Faith..."
Text: 2 Timothy 3:10
BUT YOU HAVE CAREFULLY FOLLOWED IV
There was a time when Paul did not possess faith. In his ignorance and unbelief he raged against the Lord Jesus Christ and the church. He persecuted believers relentlessly. But when he came to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, everything changed gloriously. He was now able to write to Timothy about “the faith” that he possessed. It is a faith that we too can obtain.
THE FAITH
The journey of faith of the apostle Paul is most interesting to study. The following features may be noted.
1. The mercy and grace of the Lord
a) These were deeply experienced and not just intellectually comprehended.
b) They shaped the way Paul understood things and they shaped his life and ministry.
2. The Lord’s enablement
a) Paul related to the Lord very closely
b) The Lord enabled him for life and ministry.
i) Knowledge and revelation were given to him.
ii) He was faithful and true to the word of God entrusted to him.
iii) He related to the Father in prayer.
iv) He related to the Lord Jesus through many Divine personal manifestations.
v) He related to the Spirit of God deeply and personally.
3. Suffering for the Lord
a) Paul suffered more than many.
b) He learned even more about real and powerful faith through suffering.
4. Serving the Lord
a) He was deeply committed to the spread of the gospel.
b) He went everywhere the Lord led him
i) He broke new grounds as a pioneer missionary.
ii) His most outstanding work was with Gentiles.
c) He lived out a life of total commitment to serve the Lord as a bond-servant.
5. Doctrine and Faith
There was no separation at all. What Paul read and understood from the Scriptures he sought to practise in real life. Faith was not just a doctrine he had. Doctrine was exemplified by a life of stirring faith.