2 Timothy 3:10-17

2 Timothy 3:10-17

There are things we need to know and how to live in difficult times. Paul begins the chapter with a description of the difficult times that mark the last days. In these seven verses he talks about what we need to know, how we are to behave, and where we are to gain guidance when times are tough.

What do we need to know? We need to know a mentor, someone whose life, faith, and doctrine are an example to us. Paul was willing to be that for Timothy. It wasn’t so simple that he merely instructed Timothy, but rather he used his life experience as a parable for Timothy. Paul was profoundly aware of his past failures, but he also knew where he was headed and how he was getting there. This relationship requires closeness between mentor and mentee. If the relationship is just enough to allow us to fake it, then it is too distant to be effective.

How are we to behave? If we are going to live godly lives, we are going to suffer. That level of suffering may vary by the society we keep, the culture we live in, or the work we are doing, but it is going to happen. The expectation of suffering for godly living is set in contrast to evil men going from worse to worse. Timothy was well acquainted with the suffering of Paul. Many of us today tend to pattern our lives and select our mentors based on success, the avoidance of trouble, and evasion of perceived failure. Because of this, when failure occurs, we are unprepared and do not know how to live. Look for mentors with wounds and battle scars, not TV shows and stars on their doors.

Where are you gaining guidance when times are tough? A mentor’s example is not enough alone for a disciple’s life. The Holy Scripture, the word of God, must be our guidance. We often look at verses 16-17 and see how a minister or leader can use scripture to teach his flock. However, up to this point Paul has been telling Timothy about self-direction and self-discipline. That must be the first application of scripture. We sometimes forget the Scriptures are to begin their effective work of changing people by changing us. We must experience it before we teach it.

“Lord, help me to be strong whenever I face difficult times of ministry. AMEN”