If you knew your time was drawing near and you were going to write a letter to someone you deeply loved, what would you say? What would your last words of advice be? What would be on your mind if you knew that this would be your final communication with someone you loved like they were your own child? Second Timothy is that letter for Paul. He is imprisoned and knows his time is growing very short, so he pens this last letter “To Timothy, my dearly loved son”. Would you join me as we take a closer look at this short book that contains the last message of the apostle Paul?
I’ve read the four chapters of this book twice this morning and I’d like to share with you just a few of the things that leapt out at me. The first thing that I noticed was Paul’s encouragement to young Timothy to “keep ablaze the gift of God that is in you”. He was encouraging his young protégé to keep the fire inside him burning as he continued to exercise the gift that God had given him. He was saying to him, “don’t let the gift God has given you grow cold from lack of attention; work to keep it burning inside you”. Paul knew that circumstance and difficulties can make us grow weary.
He knew that we could start out on fire for God and excited to do what He has called us to do, only to find our enthusiasm and passion fading over time as the challenges of life hit us. Right from the start, Paul was challenging Timothy to remember to do whatever was necessary to feed the flames that would fuel the gift God had given him. He was reminding him that your gift takes hard work and perseverance. He was reminding him to be attentive and make sure he continued to feed the fires of his gift. In other words, make sure you get the spiritual nourishment you need to do what God has called you to do.
The next thing I noticed that was important for Paul to share with Timothy was the reality of the Christian walk. He clearly reminds him that suffering and hardships are a part of the believer’s growth process. He urges him not to fear this and to be willing to “share in suffering for the gospel” (1:8) and to “share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus” (2:3). Paul knew better than most what living for Jesus and sharing the gospel could cost. (Take a look at 2 Cor. 11:24-27 to see a list of some of the things Paul had gone through! Paul knew the cost of walking with Jesus!)
Paul wanted Timothy to be aware of the fact that difficulties would come, but he also wanted him to know how to deal with them. He gave the young Timothy some great advice. He urged him to hold on to what he had learned; he urged him to hold tightly to the Truth he had been taught. And then he gave him these wise words of advice we would all do well to heed. “Keep your attention on Jesus Christ” (2:8). What great words to remember! How many of our problems could be helped if we would but keep out attention on Jesus Christ!
Paul knew that if we focus on our problems, they seem to get bigger, but if we focus on Jesus, the problems don’t seem quite so big. What we focus on matters more than we realize. That’s why Paul urged him to keep his attention on Jesus. He knew that if we are to have any measure of success in this life, we would have to focus on Jesus. He knew if we were to survive the hardships we face, we would have to keep our attention on Jesus. Dear Paul offers some great wisdom in his final words to his young friend Timothy that could really help us if we will follow them.
The next thing Paul wants Timothy to know is how important it is to focus on things that are pleasing to God and stay away from things that are not. He warns him to “flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness” (2:22). He tells the young man to avoid the things that are going to detract from your spiritual growth and focus on the things that will help him to mature and become a worker “approved to God” (2:15). He’s saying, “get in the Word, focus on the things that matter, and stay away from anything that isn’t going to benefit you spiritually.”
Years ago, I read a book that challenged us to ask ourselves this question. “In light of eternity, does this really matter?” As Paul was standing so close to his entrance into his eternal home, he was thinking about what mattered most and urging young Timothy to do the same. He knew that we often waste so much time on things that don’t matter. He knew we are often tempted to focus on things that distract us or even worse, lead us into temptation. He was challenging Timothy to “grow up”, focus on what mattered, and be the worker that God was calling him to be.
Paul goes on to give Timothy a glimpse into what the final days before Christ’s return would be like and suffice to say, I think we are there my friend. He warns him that “difficult times will come in the last days” (3:1) and that “people will be lovers of self” and he lists a great many other behaviors that we now see on a daily basis. He also warns him again of the persecutions that will come. “In fact, all those who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (3:12). Paul doesn’t shy away from hard truth, but he always offers some good advice about how to prepare for difficulties.
He tells Timothy to “continue in what you have learned and firmly believed” (3:14) pointing out the importance of “the sacred Scriptures” (3:15). Paul knew that in order to survive the persecution, in order to make it through hard times, we would have to hold tightly to the word of God! He knew that the Word would help us and prepare us for whatever may come. “All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (3:16-17).
He tells Timothy hold on to the Truth he has learned and to share that Truth with others. He challenged Timothy to fulfill the ministry God had given him by sharing the Word with others. “Proclaim the message; persist in it whether convenient or not; rebuke, correct, and encourage with great patience and teaching” (4:2). He was basically telling young Timothy, “keep sharing the message of the gospel despite how you may feel or what you may be going through”. He was saying, “keep telling them about Jesus, no matter what.” Keep your attention on Jesus Christ!
Paul knew there would be times that it wouldn’t be convenient, but he urged him to share Jesus anyway. Paul knew there would be times he wouldn’t “feel like it”, but he urged him to keep sharing Jesus. Paul knew there are times we have to take authority over our feelings and do what the Holy Spirit is leading us to do. He also knew there were days coming when people would no longer want to hear the gospel. What was Paul’s advice? Keep sharing Jesus. “endure hardship” and “fulfill your ministry” (4:5). No matter what, keep sharing Jesus; keep doing what He has called you to do.
I have no doubt that Paul chose his last words very careful as he penned this letter to his dear friend. He knew this was likely his last chance to stress what was important and I think it is wise to take to heart the words he spoke in this letter. Some of them are encouraging. Some of them are challenging. Honestly, some of them are hard to hear, but they are important Truths, nonetheless. I hope they have challenged you and spoke to your heart like they have mine, dear friend. I pray that you will be inspired to spend some time studying this little book yourself.
In closing, I would like to share some of Paul’s last words to Timothy. “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time for my departure is close. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. There is reserved for me in the future the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me, but to all those who have loved his appearing” (4:6-8). I confess the screen has blurred as tears fill my eyes as I type these words. What a beautiful last look at the thoughts of our dear Paul!
What a beautiful thing for us to remember! You see; beloved, we may face hard times, we may endure suffering, but this is not the end. Someday, beloved, your race will be over, and you too will stand at the finish line. You will stand at the finish line and see the face of your beloved Lord and receive your crown He has reserved for you. What a gloriously beautiful day that will be! What a day to look forward to and hold in our hearts when the cares of this life get to be a bit too much! Oh, dear heart, a better day is coming, and you have eternity in heaven to look forward to!
Until then, remember that the Lord will stand with you and strengthen you (4:17)! He will stand with you, give you the strength you need to endure, and help you keep fighting. Just remember to keep your attention on Jesus Christ and cling tightly to His Word! Hold on to Him and rest assured, He is holding on to you. And someday, some sweet day, the Lord will rescue you from every evil work and bring you safely into His heavenly kingdom (4:18)! Dear heart, keep pressing on and may “the Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you” (4:22)
“To Him be the glory forever and ever! Amen.” (4:18b)
Katrina Douglas
6/29/2022
