Take Hold of Endurance

2 Timothy 3:1-4:8
Related Sunday School Lesson, Bible Studies for Life, Oct. 29

It is important that Christians understand (especially new believers) that being saved and being on our way to heaven does not mean we will not have difficulty in this life. Living for Christ is not easy and sometimes it is not even safe!

Christians not only have to face many of the same difficulties as non-believers, they also have to deal with the pressures of trying to swim against the current of society’s values. The fact of the matter is that in America, we are living in a post-Christian era. This is going to pose some very difficult days for Christians.

I can promise you that in any society if you take your relationship with Christ seriously, you will have trouble with the forces of this world that hate God and reject Christ.

We as believers must not lose heart for we too, like Timothy, can take courage in the words that God gave the apostle Paul more than 2,000 years ago. We can take hold of endurance by understanding these truths.

I. We can expect difficult times. (3:1, 10-13)

None of us should ever be surprised when we encounter difficulty because of our stand with Christ. As a matter of fact, we should expect it and be concerned when it’s not happening. Jesus told His disciples in Luke 6:26, “woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! For so did their fathers to the false prophets.”

Paul is, in essence, warning and promising us that persecution is going to happen. He doesn’t tell us “if” difficulty comes, he is telling us “when” difficulty comes. He is not telling us “if” we get persecuted but rather “when” we get persecuted.

Most of us don’t realize that 2 Timothy 3:12 is as much of a promise as John 3:16 is! None of us wants to “name and claim it” but it’s still the truth about what real Christianity is all about. We are not of this world and the world is never going to approve or appreciate what we stand for.

II. We can embrace God’s truth. (3:14-17)

The good news in all of this is that we are not left helpless and defenseless during times of difficulty. Paul knew that Timothy had been exposed early in his life to sound doctrinal teaching by his mother and grandmother. It was this teaching that Paul is reminding Timothy to hang onto when he is tempted to compromise like the false teachers.

We never compromise doctrinal integrity in order to gain church unity. Never has a pastor or Bible teacher furthered the cause of the gospel by compromising truth!

In fact, Paul not only reminds Timothy of the past but encourages him about what he needs to preach regarding the authority of God’s Word. Because the Bible is inspired, inerrant, and infallible, Timothy can teach with confidence doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction.

Doctrine has to do with teaching and instruction about the ways of God (what is right). Reproof has to do with telling someone about his sin in order to bring a confession of guilt (what is not right). Correction is straightening up again and getting back on the right course (how to get right). Instruction has to do with maturing and training in the ways of righteousness (how to stay right).

I have said all of this because if you are ever in doubt about what is right, you will never go wrong if you stay with God’s Word. That’s what Timothy had to do. He had to “rightly divide” the Word, and then, he had to stand on the Word no matter what the cost!

III. We can endure to the end. (4:5-8)

When it comes right down to it, it’s not how we “say” we started the Christian life that counts but how we end up! I’m not saying that having a right beginning is not important. But I have seen people who give a good testimony of what they “said” they believed when they became a church member. What counts now is how they are living since they said they believed!

The issue is can you give your life as a testimony to others to help them endure their times of testing? Paul could give his. That’s why he told Timothy, “Look at my example if you need help” (vv. 6-7).

If other people looked at your testimony would they be encouraged or discouraged? Would they want to endure or give up serving Christ?

A certain kind of life

We must be willing to admit to ourselves and others that living the real Christian life gets difficult, very difficult at times! What we have to do is not shy away from this fact. We must emphasize the certainty of the Bible, God’s Word.

We must encourage ourselves and others to stay in the fight, finish the race, and keep the faith till the end! If we do these things we will be among those who “love His appearing.”