2 Timothy 2 Devotional
by Pastor Lawrence

In this chapter, Paul gives a charge to Timothy, the young evangelist serving in Ephesus, and compares his life of ministry to a number of other callings in life, first to a soldier, then an athlete, a farmer, and later on a general worker.  In reference to the calling of a solider, Paul commends a couple of things to Timothy.  First, that he ought to be willing to share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.  Timothy, who seemed to be naturally timid in character, was exhorted on other occasions not to be afraid or ashamed of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and part of that fear stemmed from the suffering and persecution he might receive in following the Lord’s orders.  But that comes with the territory, not only for a Christian leader but for any Christian.  Second, Paul says that no soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits.  He doesn’t have time for these things anymore, for he is now on military time.  There is a war to win and great preparation is needed in order to be ready to fight.  Therefore, a Christian cannot be divided in this regard.  He must maintain self-discipline and be sober-minded for the sake of his duty, for Paul says that his aim ought to be to please the one who has enlisted him.  He is no longer living for himself, but for the Lord, and his life should reflect this change in loyalty. 

         Next Paul compares the life of a Christian to an athlete who is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.  One of the rules that each athlete had to swear to was that he would train for no less than ten months prior to the games.  In the Christian life, there is much training needed in order to grow in godliness.  Paul says in 1 Corinthians 9:27 “I discipline my body and keep it under control lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.”  Again, a Christian cannot live like a spiritual couch potato and still win the race of life.  He or she must put in the work, stretch the soul and run with the Lord. 

         Paul also compares the Christian life to that of a farmer, saying “It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops.”  A farmer who does not work hard will not have much to show at harvest time and he will not be able to enjoy the fruit of his labor.  A Christian must dedicate himself to his work in order to reap the good things he sows.   

         Finally, in v.15, Paul says ‘Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.”  This verse reminds me of the parable of the talents, in which three servants were entrusted with the owner’s assets in order to bring him a profit upon his return.  Two of them did the best with what they were given and presented themselves and their talents to their master causing him great delight, but one of the servants was ashamed upon his lord’s return, for he had buried his talent proving himself to be an unprofitable servant.  Here, Paul points out that part of Timothy’s service was to rightly handle the word of truth.  In order to do that, he must be very familiar with the Scriptures, reading and meditating upon it daily that he might be able to handle it better each day. 

         Although not all of us are called to be leaders in the Church of God, all of us do share a sense of this calling to the Christian life to please the one who has enlisted us, to train ourselves to be godly, to fill ourselves with God’s word and to work hard for the sake of God’s kingdom.  These are very high expectations indeed; therefore, let us look to the Lord to bless us in these endeavors this day that we might live up to our calling in Christ Jesus.