it's all good.

2Tim3:16-17 (nlt)

16 All scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

I would fall into the camp that believes 100 percent in the infallibility and inspired without error view of scripture. I believe Paul would have also fallen into this category, as well as young Timothy. But just because it came from God, and that it is pure and true does it all really apply?

Here Paul reminds Timothy of 4 main things regarding scripture. 2 of these relate to doctrine, and 2 of them relate to practice.

He states that ALL scripture is inspired by God and 1. is useful to teach us what is true...2. and teaches us to do what is right

secondly he states that 1. it makes us realize what is wrong in our lives (correcting us) and 2. it is used to prepare/equip us for his mission.

I love that Paul roots Timothy in these 2 purposes of the word, for teaching (doctrine) and for change (practice) why? because i believe this is the way that we should be reading our bibles! for the purpose of being taught SO we can put to practice that which we are being taught. way too often do i read my bible as a history book, or a credo of ideas and ideologies. when i should be reading it as (forgive me for the lack of metaphor) but an instruction manual.

because ALL scripture is useful for both.

1Tim3:12-15

12 Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 13 But evil people and impostors will flourish. They will deceive others and will themselves be deceived. 14 But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. 15 You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.

Suffering is a theme that Christ himself did not shy away from. he knew that we would face many adversaries here on earth, he knew that his message would cause us suffering, he prayed specifically for us in regards to such suffering. Paul again reminds Timothy of this fact, he reminds him that there will be people who will deceive, and come up against the message and also reminds him that those who deceive will in the end be deceived.

The challenge then again to Timothy is to remain faithful to the things he was taught, knowing that they are true because of the reliability of those who taught him. BUT not only is it that the people who taught him that were reliable, but it is teaching that is based on and rooted in the "holy Scriptures" and it was through that curriculum that Timothy was able to experience and receive salvation.

This is one of the personal moments in this letter, it is not a reminder to Timothy to preach and teach despite the denial and push against the Gospel around him. instead it is a reminder for Timothy to personally remain rooted in that which he has been taught, AND, that which he has experienced. And THAT is not ideas and ideologies from the teachers in his life, instead it is in the bible, it is the reminder that he is to remain rooted in the infallible, inerrant and inspired word of God. Paul knows that if Timothy does not continue to root himself in God's word and promises, that he will never be able to teach others, or come up against the deceivers etc.

We must continue to remind ourselves, that it is not only about programs, ideas, church work, meetings etc. But remembering to stay rooted and connected to the truth and doing all other things out of the overflow that comes as a result of truth working through us.

reproduce yourself

2Tim3:10-11

10 But you, Timothy, certainly know what I teach, and how I live, and what my purpose in life is. You know my faith, my patience, my love, and my endurance. 11 You know how much persecution and suffering I have endured. You know all about how I was persecuted in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra - but the Lord rescued me from all of it.

This entire letter really is written as though Timothy would not see Paul again. It is a closing letter, and a Good bye letter, and a letter to remind Timothy of who he is, who he is becoming, and all that he has learned from Paul.

Paul obviously did a good job at reproducing himself. He reminds Timothy that Timothy knows how he teaches, lives, and what his purpose is. He knows his faith, patience, love and endurance. How would Timothy have known these things, had he not just spent time with Paul. Indeed Paul would have spent much of his time pouring into Timothy, but not stopping his call and mission. Instead Timothy more than likely would have followed Paul like a young apprentice, sharing in all of the experiences of ministry that Paul was able to have, also sharing in the hard times, the times of persecution. And as a result, Timothy, has seen, and experience a solid Godly example, and now is charged to himself lead.

The Cool Part about these letters to Paul is that he never came across to Timothy as though he was nervous for Timothy, or uncertain that he would be able to accomplish the task of ministry. Paul knew that Timothy was gifted and called to preach and lead, and the language he uses with young Timothy is a reflection of that trust.

We need to continually remind ourselves of the fact that we will not be in ministry forever, and in order for such ministry to carry on in our churches, we need to find Timothy's to share the journey with us, and to be intentionally preparing them for the eventual succession of our roles and duties.

2Tim3:6-9

6 They are the kind who work their way into people's homes and win the confidence of vulnerable women who are burdened with the guilt of sin and controlled by various desires. 7 (Such women are forever following new teachings, but they are never able to understand the truth.) 8 These teachers oppose the truth just as Jannes and Jambres opposed moses. They have depraved minds and a counterfeit faith. 9 But they won't get away with this for long. Someday everyone will recognize what fools they are, just as with Jannes and Jambres.

The moment here that Paul would have been drawing on most likely comes from the account of Moses and Aaron and the miracles they performed which Pharaoh had his magicians and sorcerers try to mimic the miracles that God performed through them. Jannes and Jambres are traditionally known as those very sorcerers.

When we look back to the account, one of the moments where Jannes and Jambres tried to mimic was the staff of Aaron that was turned into a snake. Jannes and Jambres are able to mimic the same miracle, but Aarons snake ends up devouring the other 2 snakes.

The picture here obviously is that of people who deceive those who are trying to follow and find truth. Pharaoh wanted so desperately to believe that it was not God who was making the calls and calling the shots, but that it was instead just men, namely Aaron and Moses. He continually had his Magicians mimic the miracles to put to rest the idea that God was trying to take his slaves from his land. But the problem is that his sorcerers were really counterfeit. They were deceivers, They manipulated and convinced people that they had powers, and had control.

I must admit, for the last couple of years I have been dabbling in the art of magic. Yes, I know, quite a provocative word in the evangelical circles is "magic". But this is not freaky deaky harry potter nonsence sorcery. I am just playing with Cards. I love the response from people when I am able to trick them with "magic". My problem is, I impulsively always have to tell them how I did it, it immediately then turns from magic, to slight of hand, or misdirection.

These magicians and sorcerers did not reveal their "tricks", and granted, they could have been truly calling upon powers that were greater than them, powers that were dark, but we wont dive into that now.

The point is, Paul ties a connection between teachers who Misdirect people with counterfeit faith, and truth. They are drawing people away from what is actually true, and actually of God, and actually in line with the Gospel. And it is Timothy's Job to serve faithfully and stand firm against such teachers. As it is our Job to stand firm against the Counterfeit faiths that can present themselves in the church today. The ones that come to recollection right away are misdirect-ors as the prosperity preachers, and thieving healers who are leading people away from the real truth, the truth that lines up with the scriptures.

2Tim3:1-5 (NLT)

1 You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. 2 For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. 3 They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. 4 They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. 5 They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!

When I read these words from the apostle, I obviously ask myself how close to the end times we must be! These words echo that of the very nature of culture that as a pastor we continually try to come up against. Paul gives specific warning to the fact that things really are not going to get a whole lot better in the future, but they will become increasingly difficult. And Paul commands Timothy to stay away from the following:

1. People who love only themselves and money

2. People who are boastful and proud

3. People who scoff at God

4. People who are disobedient to their parents

5. People who are ungrateful

6. People who consider nothing sacred

7. People who are unloving

8. People who are unforgiving

9. People who slander others

10. People who do not have self-control

11. People who are cruel

12. People who hate what is good

13. People who betray their friends

14. People who are reckless

15. People who are puffed up with pride

16. People who love pleasure rather than God

17. People who act religious but reject the power that can make them godly.

what a list!

If I were to summarize these attributes I would say the people Timothy is to avoid, and the people we should also be sure to not become are people who are in love with themselves, and their stuff, who don't care about loving one another, and who especially do not give God his proper place in their lives, even though they may claim to follow him.

This is a huge reminder for us, living within the very culture that Paul paints here as the end times culture, that we be bigger than these people, to live counter to these people. But we must also continually remind ourselves as pastors that this is the types of people who are showing up in our churches, who are our neighbors, who are our students, parents, etc. This is our ministry field. We must not be discouraged at the fact that this is our present culture, but help people to see that none of these things are lasting, or have any value, or do nothing more than harm, and help point them towards the one and only thing that ultimately matters now, and for all eternity. that's our call, that's my call, and I count it a privilege to be part of such a mission, yet i still humbly must remember to measure myself up against some of these negative attributes as lifestyle to completely avoid.

2Tim2:23-26
23 Again I say, don't get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. 24 A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. 25 Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people's hearts, and they will learn the truth. 26 Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil's trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.

Paul again reminds Timothy to not engage in arguments for the sake of arguing. But, this time the warning precedes instruction on how a servant of the Lord is to act, and within relation to unbelievers.

Paul states that a servant of the Lord, which in this case is referring to the call of ministry, not just that of all believers, is to:

1. Be Kind to everyone
2. Be Able to teach
3. Be Patient with difficult people

it is interesting that these 3 things precede how to work with "those who oppose the truth", I imagine Paul would have thought of these 2 sections as working together. That the minister needs to be Kind to everyone (including those who oppose the truth), needs to be able to teach (including those who oppose the truth, which will and should look different from teaching those who already believe) and to be patient with difficult people (which nowadays seems to be the people within the church more often than those outside of the church!) and through these instructions we are to

4. Gently instruct those who oppose the truth.

I love this.

Gently. I wonder sometimes how good of a job we do at the Gently part. Having grown up outside of the church, I can say for the most part Gently does not really happen that often. It is not "gentle" to put signs of bloody fetuses on university property as a way of expressing the truth of the importance of life. It is not Gentle to speak of homosexuality as "disgusting" as many mainstream evangelists have done in the past.

Gentle. Gentle why? because these people are "held captive" and ultimately it is God who is going to change their hearts in order that they may learn about the truth. We need to create environments where Gentle can happen, but not at the sacrifice of conviction and absolute truth. But i truly believe that this can happen. It has to happen, eternity is at stake.

run, and pursue.

2Tim2:22 (NLT)
Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.

When i was in high school, I remember driving home late one night with a friend after one of our concerts. we pulled into town and driving down the road saw some giant rodent run across the street. we stopped, got out of the car, and discovered a bloated sick old muskrat that i swear was rabid! we looked at this thing close, like real close, and not knowing what to do with it, we threw a couple of small rocks at it. Immediately it hissed and lunged at me. I screamed and turned to run in the opposite direction. I RAN. I actually ran about 2 blocks without looking back and screamed over my shoulder to my friend asking if it were still chasing me. apparently it only chased me for about 10ft. I kind of over did the run in the opposite direction but i thought i was going to get rabies that night.

Can we overdue the run from sin? I would like to think not. I think the farther i can run in the opposite direction from the things that can entangle me, and ruin my relationship with Christ, the better.

There is a distinction here that Paul makes. We are to run from the things that stimulates youthful lusts. AND. we are to pursue some things to. It does us no good to just run from sin, to hide from it, to just get as far away from it as possible. if that were the case then there would be justification for the people who claim to have lived "good lives" who "did not steal, murder, cheat etc" because such things are running in the opposite direction of the things that are evil. This is instinctive, for most, this part is easy.

Run? Absolutely, but once we have escaped these things, then we have a responsibility. Paul gives 4 things to pursue

1. righteous living
2. faithfulness
3. love
4. peace

Does this list look familiar? possible fruits of the spirit, proof that one has been born again, and now is growing in their faith. The other cool part is that Paul tells us not to just do this on our own. but to "enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with Pure hearts" other translations make the distinction to do these 4 pursuits within community which i believe is a better translation.

We pursue these things through the indwelling of the Spirit. these things help us to avoid youthful lusts, and we share the journey in community with those who can keep us accountable. so cool!