Timothy, my dear son, be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus. You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others. Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. Soldiers don’t get tied up in the affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them. And athletes cannot win the prize unless they follow the rules. And hardworking farmers should be the first to enjoy the fruit of their labor. Think about what I am saying. The Lord will help you understand all these things. Always remember that Jesus Christ, a descendant of King David, was raised from the dead. This is the Good News I preach. And because I preach this Good News, I am suffering and have been chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained. So I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen. This is a trustworthy saying: If we die with him, we will also live with him. If we endure hardship, we will reign with him. If we deny him, he will deny us. If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is. Remind everyone about these things, and command them in God’s presence to stop fighting over words. Such arguments are useless, and they can ruin those who hear them.
2 Timothy 2:1-14 NLT
We will all face suffering for being Christians. Some live in countries where you can be tortured or killed for being a Christian. Others lose business or jobs because of their loyalty to Christ. And others lose friends or are talked about behind their backs. We know that if we die with Christ, we will also live with Him – and that begins now as we “die” to our old lives and are willing to suffer for and with Him. Our suffering can bring others closer to Christ (v.10), and it can bring us closer to Christ, filling us with His joy.
You can only live to please one person at a time. Paul taught Timothy to please the only One who brings freedom: Christ. When you serve others, you are a slave to their moods and manipulations. When you serve culture, you are enslaved to trends and opinions. Serving yourself is no better because you get trapped by your own selfish desires. But when you serve Christ—and it is hard—there is freedom. It is the only way to be free.
Are you living to please yourself, others, or Christ? Are you willing to suffer for Jesus, working hard to bring others closer to Him?
