2 Timothy – Week 1 – Day 4

READ 

2 Timothy 1:8-9 

8 So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don’t be ashamed of me, either, even though I’m in prison for him. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News. 9 For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus. 

Paul was imprisoned because of his Christian faith. Paul was concerned that Timothy and others would be ashamed of him. He also wanted them to be willing to suffer as he was for the sake of the gospel. Paul’s view of the sovereign God is seen in his comment that God had planned this “from before the beginning of time.” God’s purpose was “to show us his grace through Christ Jesus.” 

REFLECT 

Do you have the same high view of God as Paul had? As a believer, do you realize you are called to live a holy life? 

RESPOND 

Join with others in praying God will enable you to live in such a way that others will see Jesus in you. One approach to make a way to tell others about Jesus is to live in such a way that they will like you. If they do not like you, it is doubtful they will like your Jesus.