This truth. It’s worth suffering for.
This truth. It’s worth dying for.
This truth. It changes everything!

Oh, how Paul wanted Timothy and all us to “Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained.” (2 Tim 2:8)

Jesus- of the seed of David- the fully man, the prophesied one, who is also fully God, defeated death, and tore the veil between God and man. He had made the way!

THE ONLY WAY.

In all that Paul had suffered, in the death he knew he would soon face at the executioner’s hands, he held tight to this true, good news, that he lovingly called “my gospel”. Did you see that above in verse 8?

The gospel wasn’t just something Paul wrote about in an academic, religious sense. Oh no! It was the very hope he stood on! It spurred him on! It kept him going!

And Paul knew in everything he had suffered, and as he was still very much suffering as he wrote the words we are now reading, ALL OF IT, was worth it, if just one lost soul would see Christ in him.

Paul goes on to say, “Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.” (2 Tim 2:10)

And friend, to have this attitude is to have joy despite our circumstances.

I don’t know about you, but some of the most joy-filled people I know have walked some pretty stinking hard roads!

Have you considered that the suffering you may be going through could be so someone else might see Jesus in you?

I’m not trying to be a Pollyanna here or ignore the pain. It doesn’t mean hard things don’t feel hard, but when we lay them down and ask the Lord to use our hard days for His glory, rivers of peace wash over our souls!

When we think like this, we have the mind of Christ. And God’s Word tells us, when our mind is governed by the Spirit like this there is LIFE and Peace! (Rom 8:6)

I know I’m moving through Second Timothy at a snail’s pace. But this is like mining for gold! Let’s dig deep. Let’s don’t rush through to check off some religious box! Let’s ask the Lord to do a work in, and through us, with everything that comes our way!

And as we keep our eye on the prize, may we feel His strong arms carrying us no matter what the days may hold! ❤️

Glory to God!

readTimothy

LivetheWord

Kimjaggers.com