King James Bible Study – [And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. – Mark 8:34]
Date: Tuesday, December 24, 2024
Chapters: The Book of II Timothy
Message: We Shall Live With Christ
Hello My Friend,
Merry Christmas Eve! I do not know about you, but I am feeling a little more emotional today not only as I read the chapters for today, but that I am thanking God for the birth of His Son. We are reminded that while those whom have received Christ will suffer, they shall also live, [2 Timothy 2:11-13 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: 12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: 13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.]
The Book of 2 Timothy is the sixteenth book of the New Testament, the fifty-fifth book of the Bible, and contains four chapters. The author of this letter is Paul and it was written to Timothy in approximately 64AD, which he wrote from prison fearing he would soon be executed. The purpose of the letter was to encourage Timothy to assume the responsibility of the ministry which the apostle was handing over to him while facing persecution. What we are to learn from the book is that each person who lives for Christ will suffer persecution, but Christ gives them the power to endure and be a witness to others, [2 Timothy 2:10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.]
Paul, wrote this letter to Timothy about a year after he had given them instructions on how to get the church at Ephesus in order. He had been struggling with some persecution so he begins the letter by praises Timothy for being a Godly leader, and encourages him not to fear what is happening to him.
[2 Timothy 1:1-7 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus, 2 To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 3 I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day; 4 Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy; 5 When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also. 6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. 7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.]
[thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.] The ultimate gift received from God through our faith in Christ is the Holy Spirit. This is not to be understood that Paul laid his hands on Timothy to receive the Holy Spirit, but rather ordained him to be a pastor in the church. Every saved, born again Christian has the power of the Spirit inside them, we all need to release that power and let Him do what He came here for. Paul, goes on to remind Timothy and all of us that Christ Himself not only saved us, but has called on us for a purpose, and even the afflictions we face have a purpose.
[2 Timothy 1:8-12 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; 9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, 10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: 11 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. 12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.]
[not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace,] God, gives each and every one of us specific talents to be used for His purpose, but until we receive Christ as our Saviour they are not made known to us. We are literally chosen to become soldiers who are training for combat.
[2 Timothy 2:1-4,10 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. 3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 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. 10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.]
[No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life;] The war that we face is not of the world, this is a spiritual war and that means that we need to be trained to fight that way and the best way that Jesus can do that is through the afflictions we face. Paul, goes on to show us how to do that.
[2 Timothy 2:15-16,19-21 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. 19 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. 20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.]
[Study to shew thyself approved unto God,] It is imperative that we get in God’s Word regularly and stay in it so that we might learn what God sees as right from wrong. The Bible is not designed to be read one time and if you think that the commentaries and devotions tell you everything you need to know think again, while they are indeed guides, they are never meant to replace the reading of His Word ourselves. The most important reason for studying His Word is that it teaches us to discern the truth from the lies.
[2 Timothy 3:1-7 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.]
[Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof:] If Paul though that he was in the end days with all that was going on back then can you imagine what he would think today? There are many preachers, teachers, evangelists, missionaries, and church members out there appearing to know God, but are even deceiving the elect. The only way we can become aware of them and arm ourselves is through the Word of God, and all of it, not just the Psalms, Proverbs, or New Testament, we need all of it.
[2 Timothy 3:12-17 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.]
[All scripture is given by inspiration of God,] There is nothing in God’s Word that He did not put in there, and there is nothing that He left out either. When you see the italics this is where those who interpreted the original Hebrew and Greek texts used fill in words because there was no English word for it, but they were not added. Everything written in the Bible has a purpose and is profitable for not only our own wellbeing, but others as well.
[2 Timothy 4:1-5 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.]
[For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine;] It grieves me to see all these things unfolding before my very eyes. Something else comes to mind as I read this, since there are so many “versions” of the Bible it is really going to be hard for people to know the truth. In fact, I foresee, and this is happening in other countries right now, the burning of God’s Word, replacing it with these garbage translations that have nothing to do with redemption, and even encourage sin.
[2 Timothy 4:7-8,17-18 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 17 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. 18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.]
[I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:] And this is why we stay faithful, we are not always going to do everything right and to be honest many soldiers are going to go AWOL, but just as Jesus said, those who endure until the end will be with Him, [Matthew 10:19-22 But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. 20 For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. 21 And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. 22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.]
Jesus Christ Revealed/Magnified: [2 Timothy 1:10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:]
Today’s Prayer: God, We do not have to be a Christian to know that we are in perilous times. Not only are we subject to the constant immorality and false religion, we are also forced to forsake You or face persecution. I for one, am tired of people telling me not to talk about You or to bow down to their god, I want to be free to worship You, and live the way You want me to live. I know I am going to face persecution for committing to You, but I rather be hurt living by my faith rather than face judgment by You for having never accepted You. God, put Your hedge of protection around me, and give me Your power and strength to be the soldier You need me to be. Let me not live in fear, but boldly declare Your Son at all times, and speak up whenever You tell me to. I ask these things in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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