_STRENGTHENING GRACE_ ‘Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.’ 2 Timothy 2:1 The Holy Spirit speaking through St. Paul does not say ‘be strong’ merely. That would only end in despair. It is not ‘Be strong,’ but ‘Be strong—be strengthened in the strength that is al... [ Continue Reading ]
_THE WAR OF THE LORD_ ‘Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.’ 2 Timothy 2:3 The good soldier of Jesus Christ! I. EYES FIXED.—He turns neither to the right hand nor to the left. Through evil report and good report, in sunshine and in storm, in patient endurance and w... [ Continue Reading ]
_AGAINST ENTANGLEMENTS_ ‘No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please Him Who hath chosen him to be a soldier.’ 2 Timothy 2:4 The Roman soldier served under certain restrictions. The general principle was that he was excluded from those relations, agenc... [ Continue Reading ]
_SELF-MASTERY_ ‘If a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.’ 2 Timothy 2:5 Let me ask you in all earnestness whether you have seriously set before yourself the task of gaining thorough mastery over every part of your being? ‘So fight I, not as one that be... [ Continue Reading ]
_‘REMEMBER JESUS CHRIST’_ ‘Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my Gospel.’ 2 Timothy 2:8 A heavy burden had been laid upon the young disciple to whom St. Paul so wrote. Before he had reached middle life Timotheus had been placed as the Apostle’s d... [ Continue Reading ]
_THE BIBLE_ ‘The word of God is not bound.’ 2 Timothy 2:9 It is a notable allegation, and we take occasion to direct your thoughts to certain considerations flowing from this statement. I. THE BIBLE IS THE WORD OF GOD.—What do we mean by this tremendous assertion? What should the phrase ‘the Wo... [ Continue Reading ]
_UNCHANGING FAITHFULNESS_ ‘If we believe not, yet He abideth faithful: He cannot deny himself.’ 2 Timothy 2:13 There is no believer in the whole world—however long he may have believed, and however strong his faith may have grown—who has not seasons of partial, if not of entire, unbelief! Who has... [ Continue Reading ]
_GOD’S WORKMEN*_ ‘Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be asbamed.’ 2 Timothy 2:15 Workmen we are in the high and in the holy sense, ‘fellow-workers with God.’ May God put it into my power to speak some words of encouragement, to give some words of caution, to ut... [ Continue Reading ]
_PRIVILEGE AND DUTY_ ‘Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are His. And, Let every one that nameth the Name of Christ depart from iniquity.’ 2 Timothy 2:19 The whole of a man’s peace and all his security depend upon this—What is his ‘found... [ Continue Reading ]