Abide Together: Reflections on 2 Timothy 4, Titus 1 and 2

In 2 Timothy 4 Paul exhorts Timothy to preach the perfect and sufficient word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17) in every situation, whether it is popular or not.  He warns him of a soon coming time when it won’t be popular, but to keep doing the work of an evangelist.  Paul reminds Timothy that he is on his last leg, but he has fought the good fight, finished the course and has kept the faith.  Paul also tells Timothy of those who have been faithful and those who have not.  Yet, whether men have been faithful or not Paul says that the “Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear.”  Paul did not let circumstances or unfaithful people keep him from being used by God to advance the Gospel.  Lord, strengthen me to fight the good fight, finish strong and proclaim Your Gospel so that all might hear.

In Titus 1 Paul writes to Titus, whom he left to pastor on the Island of Crete.  He instructs him to find qualified men to serve as elders alongside of him.  They are to shepherd the people. One way they are to shepherd the people is to protect them from false teaching, therefore they must know the word to such a degree they can refute false teaching.  Lord, by Your grace help me protect Your people by refuting false teaching that dishonors You and hurts Your people.

In Titus 2 Paul instructs Timothy to instruct others in godly living.  He gives specific instructions for specific groups of people.  The power to live godly is found in verse 11 where Paul writes, “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing them to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in this present age.”  It is God’s grace in Jesus Christ that empowers His people to live godly.  Jesus did not just die on the cross to save us from the penalty of sin, but also to daily save us from the power of sin so that we would be “zealous for good deeds.”  Lord, thank You for Your grace that empowers me to live daily for Your glory. 

– Bryan McKenzie