2nd Timothy 2:8-13, “Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel: Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound. 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. It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.”
I was reading the blessed inspired King James Bible today, and my heart burned with joy as I gleaned this precious passage from 2nd Timothy 2:8-13. Let me share some observations I see in this passage with you dear friend:
- We are saved by faith in the Gospel. Here we see in Verse 8 the “gospel” mentioned. Jesus' bodily resurrection is a part of the Gospel, or “Good News” by which we are saved, all those who believe it (Romans 1:16). Many religious tracts are so poorly written that they don't even contain Jesus' death on the cross, burial and bodily resurrection. Something is not “the Gospel” unless it contains these three elements.
- Paul suffered for preaching the Gospel. Paul suffered, as we read in Verse 9 for preaching this Gospel. John Bunyan (1628-1688) was imprisoned for 12 years for preaching the Gospel. The Devil loves empty religion, charitable organizations and lifeless churches, just so long as the true Gospel is not preached (2nd Corinthians 3-4).
- Paul was glad to suffer because he knew it meant more people would get saved. Paul was glad to suffer because he knew it was having an eternal impact getting lost sinners saved. I challenge discouraged Christians to start sharing the Gospel everywhere they go, and you will find a new found source of peace and joy in your life. Also, it is important to be connected with a local Bible-believing, soul-winning church. I get so frustrated by local churches nowadays, because less than .002% of churches (1 in 500) actually go door-to-door soulwinning (Acts 20:20). We call acts 20:20 “the believer's 20/20 vision.”
- Those who suffer with Christ will also reign with Him in eternity. We're in this together. That is why Jesus said in Matthew 25:40, 45 that whatever someone does (or doesn't do) to a believer, they have done it to Christ Himself. The day we got saved our life became hidden with Jesus' life in God (Colossians 3:1-3). In salvation we are dead with Christ, and raised up in newness of eternal life. We already have eternal life. That is why the Apostle Paul exhorts us to LAY HOLD ON ETERNAL LIFE. Grab the bull by the horns dear friend, and ride it for all you can!!! 1st Timothy 6:19, “Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” I feel sorry for all the covetous people being deceived by Dave Ramsey (backup MP3), investing for the riches of this temporary life. Not me buddy, I'm laying up treasures in Heaven (Matthew 6:19-20).
- No One who Goes to Hell Someday Can Blame God. 2nd Timothy 2:13, “If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.” Titus 2:11 says that the GRACE OF GOD that brings salvation hath appeared unto ALL men. God never allowed anyone to be cast into Hell except those who chose to go there! We are surrounded by false gospels today everywhere we turn. Tragically, the most dangerous place in the world today spiritually is in a Bible college or church. Go figure! Whether it be Bob Jones University, Liberty University, Master's University, Moody Bible Institute or Pensacola Christian College—they are all corrupt in their understanding of how to be saved. Satan has crept his deadly “repent of your sin” doctrine of devils into churches everywhere! Not one verse in the Bible teaches to forsake our sinning to receive God's free gift of eternal life. God saves a man by faith alone, and then the indwelling Holy Spirit changes him; but we must not pervert the Gospel in an attempt to force people to live right.
What a tremendous passage of Scripture!!!
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