2 Timothy 2: 1-26

One of the temptations faced by church members is to dismiss passages like chapter two as not being relevant to our lives today because Timothy was the pastoral leader of the church in Ephesus. Most church members do not think of themselves as leaders, so how could instructions to Timothy possibly apply to our lives today? These words apply to all Christians because all Christians have been called by Jesus to “let your light shine before others” and thus all Christians are leaders. We may be leaders of the entire church, we may be leaders of our family, and we may be leaders in our group of friends. The mission of every Christian is to reflect the Life of Christ in our daily lives, and as we do, we influence others. As we influence others, we are leaders.

Paul opens chapter two with metaphors about soldiers, athletes and farmers, and then challenges Timothy to think about them. That’s a great challenge for us also. We would do well to make these metaphors the topic of discussion in our small group or Bible study class. Paul’s aim is for us to realize the urgent necessity of being faithful to our calling to be witnesses for Jesus Christ in our world. As we take our stand for Christ, hardships and sufferings will follow. We may not end up in prison as Paul did, but taking seriously our mission to seek the Life in Christ as our way of life will most certainly put us at odds within our communities, sometimes within our circle of friends or within our family.

If this seems to you a daunting challenge, read again verse one. We can meet this challenge, not out of our own strength, but through the Lord’s strength: “be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus.”

“You are the light of the world.

A city built on a hill cannot be hidden.

No one after lighting a lamp

puts it under the bushel basket,

 but on the lampstand,

and it gives light to all in the house.

In the same way,

let your light shine before others,

so that they may see your good works and

give glory to your Father in heaven.”

Matthew 5: 14-16

What word or phrase in these verses

attracts your attention?

Reflect on that word or phrase.

What insights come to you?

How does this passage touch your life today?

Reading for  17-Apr-12      2 Tim. 3:1-17