Reflections on LifeSample

The context of 2 Timothy 3:16 shows that in the last days, there will come times of difficulty (3:1). Why? Verses 2-5a answer this question: ‘For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power’ (2 Tim 3:2-5a ESVUK).

I truly believe that we are living in the last days. As Christians, we should expect times of difficulties in our lives. As an example, from the list that Paul gave to Timothy, have you ever seen ‘lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God’? You probably have.

As Christians, we are living as lights in the days of darkness and this world is not getting any better. Second Timothy 3:13 (ESVUK) says, ‘evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.’

It sounds very depressing, doesn’t it? But as Paul wrote to Timothy, there is good news: Timothy had the Word of God with him! The sacred writings that Timothy had been acquainted with since childhood were able to make him wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus (3:15). But not only is the Word of God that Timothy had useful for him in salvation, in verse 16 we learn that all Scripture is also profitable for four other things: teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness.

Like Timothy, we also have the Word of God with us today in the Bible. The Word of God still transforms people from death to life. It also profits us since it teaches, reproofs, corrects, and trains in righteousness. All of this helps us as God’s messengers to be equipped for every good work (3:17). To God be the glory!

Prayer:

Thank you God for your Word; a Word that is profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness. May you use your Word to change lives in these difficult days and may we glorify you through our lives as believers. Thank you for your Word that gives life. In Jesus’ mighty name I pray. Amen.