Category: Devotions

We are now drawing to the final part of Paul’s letter to Timothy. It has to be the most sobering and urgent of messages not only for his spiritual son but for us here in our generation.

“In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” (2 Timothy 4 v 1-4)

Against this eternal backdrop of the second coming of Christ and the final judgment, Paul brings charges to Timothy. It is a charge to all Church leaders today.

“Preach the word”  – If you want to be known as faithful in ministry, then the central point of your life is this: the proclamation of God’s revealed truth. Not human wisdom, not popular philosophies, not even well-meaning moral advice, but “the word.”

“Be prepared in season and out of season” – You have to be ready no matter what circumstances are taking place, you have to turn up and deliver God’s message, whether people are receptive or not.

“Correct, rebuke and encourage” – Ministry requires both the courage to confront error and the compassion to comfort the hurting.

“With great patience and careful instruction” – The manner matters as much as the message.

Here’s the big question: Why?

There will come a time and it is now:-

• When people will not want to hear what they need.
• When people will shop around to find teaching to validate their behaviour.
• When people will choose to avoid anything that challenges or convicts sin.

There is still only one anchor, it always has been so, the eternal Word of God and our courage to live in the certain hope of Christ’s appearing.

It seems that here we are in 2025 and we are reading instructions dated 2,000 years ago and yet they are so relevant to us. How much we need to take heed of what Paul says to Timothy.

“But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, ¹⁵ and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶ All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, ¹⁷ so that the servant of Godmay be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3 v 14-17)

Timothy is urged to hold fast to what he has learned, not because it’s trendy or popular, but because of its source and his own experience of its truth.

Notice Paul’s emphasis on relationship: “you know those from whom you learned it.” Faith isn’t just about abstract doctrine; it’s rooted in the testimony of trustworthy people. For Timothy, this included his grandmother Lois and mother Eunice (2 Timothy 1:5), as well as Paul himself.

Who did you learn the Bible from? I heard someone declare that they love people more than they care about what the Bible says. Who said it? A preacher! This is the threat to us today. It was the same for Timothy’s generation. Hold on and don’t change what you have learnt was the instruction from Paul.

The Greek word literally means “breathed out by God.” It’s not that human authors were passive instruments, but that God’s Spirit worked through them so completely that the result is both fully human and fully divine in origin.

The word “all” is emphatic, not just some portions, not just the parts that seem immediately relevant or palatable, but all of Scripture carries this divine authority. This includes difficult passages, historical narratives, poetic books, and prophetic literature.

Paul outlines four key ways Scripture serves believers:

Teaching : It establishes the doctrinal framework for faith.

Rebuking: It confronts us with truth that may be uncomfortable but necessary.

Correcting Scripture helps realign our thinking and behaviour with God’s standards.

Training in righteousness: Like a coach training an athlete, Scripture develops spiritual maturity over time.

Scripture doesn’t just give us information; it transforms us into people capable of representing God effectively in the world.

There’s no area of Christian service or moral living for which Scripture fails to provide adequate preparation. This doesn’t mean it gives specific instructions for every situation, but it provides the principles, wisdom, and spiritual formation needed to navigate any challenge faithfully.

Last evening, the CEO of Release International and a good friend, Paul Robinson, was interviewed by Canon J John. It is a most moving interview and everyone should watch it. The quote in the title above was from Rose who spoke to Paul as she relived being set on fire simply because she was a Christian. You can access the video here:

http://bit.ly/4p7lKK3

There are many Rose’s today and they bring huge challenge and encouragement to us all. The Apostle Paul of course knew all about persecution. He reminds his young protégé that following Christ isn’t a path of ease, but one marked by persecution and hardship. Yet within this sobering reality lies profound encouragement.

“You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, ¹¹ persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. ¹² In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, ¹³ while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.” (2 Timothy 3 v 10-13)

Paul points to his own sufferings in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra, places where he faced rejection, violence, and exile. But notice what he emphasises: “the Lord rescued me from all of them.” Not that the trials were avoided, but that God’s faithfulness carried him through each one.

The uncomfortable truth Paul shares is that “everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” This isn’t pessimism; it’s preparation. When we encounter resistance for our faith, whether subtle mockery, professional challenges, or family tensions, we’re not experiencing something unusual. We’re walking the same path every faithful believer has travelled.

Meanwhile, Paul warns that “evil people and impostors will go from bad to worse.” The contrast is stark: while the world grows darker, believers are called to shine brighter, holding fast to truth even when it costs us.

The key is found in verse 10: “You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance.” Paul lived what he preached. His words carried weight because his life backed them up.

Today, let’s ask ourselves: Are we prepared to see the world through the perspective of Rose? Are we living with such authenticity that others can see Christ’s character reflected in our daily choices?

What will you be remembered for?

Here’s 2 people that are remembered for all the wrong reasons.

Paul has just written telling us to have nothing to do with people who have a form of godliness but deny its power.

“They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over gullible women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, ⁷ always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. ⁸ Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these teachers oppose the truth. They are men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. ⁹ But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone.” (2 Timothy 3 v 6-9)

These 2 men opposed Moses according to Paul. However, you will never find their names in the Old Testament, They are just not there, I checked.
These two are traditionally identified as the Egyptian magicians who opposed Moses and Aaron before Pharaoh in the book of Exodus. According to Exodus 7-8, when Moses and Aaron performed miracles before Pharaoh – like turning Aaron’s staff into a serpent and turning water into blood – Pharaoh’s magicians were able to duplicate some of these signs through their own arts.

In later Jewish literature, particularly in works like the Targums and various midrash texts, these magicians were given the names Jannes and Jambres. They became symbolic figures representing those who use supernatural powers to oppose God’s will and deceive people.

The apostle Paul uses them as a comparison point, suggesting that just as these ancient magicians opposed Moses, certain people in Timothy’s time would similarly oppose the truth with their own form of deceptive religion or false teaching. Paul assures Timothy that these “Jannes and Jambres” people will not get very far. We shouldn’t be dismayed when false teachers and opponents to our message seem successful initially. For Timothy’s ministry context, this meant he could faithfully preach and teach without being paralysed by the opposition he faced. He is encouraged to hold on to patience, persistence, and confidence that truth will ultimately prevail, even when circumstances seem to favour those who oppose it.

Paul will say it doesn’t.

“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. ² People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, ³ without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, ⁴ treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— ⁵ having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.” (2 Timothy 3 v 1-5)

Paul lists 19 characteristics that will define people as the world progresses and as we approach the last days

This isn’t a random list – it’s a carefully constructed portrait of humanity when it abandons godly principles. Notice how it begins and ends with misplaced love: loving self and pleasure instead of God.

Perhaps most striking is Paul’s final observation: these people will have “a form of godliness but denying its power.” This describes religious activity without genuine transformation – going through the motions while remaining unchanged at heart.

Paul’s purpose isn’t to create fear but to equip Timothy (and us) with discernment. By recognising these patterns, believers can avoid being influenced by such people and instead pursue authentic faith that produces genuine character change.

The passage serves as both a warning and a mirror, challenging us to examine our own hearts and ensure we’re not displaying these very characteristics ourselves. In times when moral boundaries seem increasingly blurred, Paul’s words remind us of the importance of anchoring our lives in timeless biblical principles rather than cultural trends.

The world isn’t getting better morally so the responsibility for sharing the gospel is even more important.

Some people are known for being quarrelsome aren’t they? We all end up at some point in the middle of an argument and hopefully it isn’t too heated. But how should we be? Paul pours out his heart to his spiritual son. He has been in a few arguments himself. He’s older and wiser now. Here’s what he says:

“Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. ²³ Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. ²⁴ And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. ²⁵ Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, ²⁶ and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.” (2 Timothy 2 v 22-26)

Paul says:

• It’s not about who wins arguments but who can gently lead people to a place where their hearts can be transformed.
• Flee (many youthful things but perhaps especially the need to be right), pursue, avoid (don’t have anything to do) and gently instruct/teach are the key discipleship traits Paul has learnt.
• Wisdom is needed when to engage and when to step back. Sometimes we have to flee and sometimes pursue etc.
• There are some things we cannot do and have to leave it to God – “in the hope that God will grant them repentance.” Changing hearts is God’s work, not ours.
• Our role is to create space for His Spirit to work through our kindness and patience.
• When we argue to win rather than to love, we often harden the very hearts we hope to reach.

Today if you find yourself in an argument then pursue righteousness with a gentle spirit and ask for wisdom when to speak and when to listen deomosntrating love to the person opposing you.

This year on a family holiday we walked around Sandringham House in Norfolk. It is the Royal family home for 6 months of the year from October to March. Every room serves a purpose and every item has been carefully chosen for its function. Some items gleam with gold and silver, goblets and plates reserved for the most honoured guests and special occasions. But then when you go into another room there is a half-finished jigsaw on the table, a scrabble board in the corner, some modern magazines on the coffee table.

Why do I say all that? It is because this is the picture Paul paints when he writes to Timothy about purpose and calling.

“In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. ²¹ Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.” (2 Timothy 2 v 20-21)

This is not about value but about purpose. Paul asks, ‘what kind of instrument will you choose to be?’ The heart of the message is about placing the responsibility squarely on our shoulders regarding that answer. It’s about the deliberate choice to separate ourselves from anything that would compromise our usefulness to God. This might mean distancing ourselves from toxic relationships or breaking free from destructive habits. It could simply about taking more care with your physical health, your mind, emotions and your spirit.  

Being “made holy” doesn’t mean we become perfect or untouchable. It means we become set apart for God’s purposes.

The phrase “useful to the Master” reminds us that our spiritual development isn’t ultimately about us. We don’t pursue holiness for our own glory or even for our own peace of mind, though both may follow. We pursue it because there is work to be done, a kingdom to advance, and a Master who wants to use us in His mission.

So …

What are you allowing to shape your thoughts and desires?

Who or what is toxic around you?

Are you growing in your health, mind, body, soul?

Are you maintaining a heart that’s open to God’s leading, even when it comes at inconvenient times?

Are you ready to step into a new chapter of good works that God has planned for your life?

Whether you feel like gold or clay today, remember that in God’s house, both have purpose, both have value, and both can be instruments of honour when surrendered to His use. It really is up to you as to what kind of vessel you will choose to be.

…. and that’s because God is permanent, unmovable and reliable. Man may spread teaching that is like gangrene (the previous verses), Church communities may be infected with disease but God, the foundation of your life, is solid. That’s it. 

“Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.” 2 Timothy 2:19

Paul describes this foundation as bearing a seal with two inscriptions, like opposite sides of the same coin. These aren’t random statements but carefully chosen truths that balance divine sovereignty with human responsibility.

“The Lord Knows Those Who Are His” comes from Numbers 16 where the Lord declares He knows who belongs to Him. During seasons of doubt and difficulty knowing that God knows is of huge comfort. 

“Everyone Who Confesses the Name of the Lord Must Turn Away from Wickedness” is a statement which we don’t know where it comes from. Those who truly belong to God don’t merely claim His name—they live differently because of it.

Whatever you are facing today, God’s solid foundation remains. His knowledge of you is perfect, and His call to holiness is clear.

It’s not just that God knows who His people are in some distant, theological sense—He knows you, your name, your story and your struggles.

Because He knows you, He calls you to live worthy of that knowledge. 

Not to earn His love, but to express it. 

Not to secure your place in His heart, but to honour the place He’s already given you.

Paul has been addressing the need to keep to the Bible and to come away from meaningless messages which just stir up arguments. It is possible to be an influential speaker and yet all you that you influence is an infection. It is possible to be a Christian preacher and lead people astray from the truth and actually do more harm than if you had not opened your mouth. This is what Paul was saying:-

“Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, ¹⁸ who have departed from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some.” (2 Timothy 2 v 17-18)

Just as gangrene starts in one area and spreads to healthy tissue, false teaching begins with individuals but can quickly contaminate entire communities of believers. The reason being is that false teaching is a spiritual disease.

The resurrection heresy wasn’t a complete denial of resurrection but a distortion of its timing and nature. But it was “destroying the faith of some.” Spiritual gangrene doesn’t merely confuse; it can completely destroy a person’s faith, leaving them spiritually shipwrecked.

In these two short verses we learn the following:

• What we believe about core Christian truths shapes our relationship with God.
• False teaching spreads.
• Often the most dangerous false teachings contain elements of truth mixed with error, making them harder to detect and more likely to be accepted.
• The need for discernment and commitment to biblical truth has never been greater.

May we heed Paul’s warning and guard against anything that would spread like gangrene through the body of Christ. .

It is easy for the Church to become distracted from the focus of the gospel which Paul has been reminding Timothy of. Temptations to think of the church from the terms of the entertainment value, even social care issues or a society for anything are too real. The Church needs reminding of the important things.

“Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarrelling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. ¹⁵ Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. ¹⁶ Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.” (2 Timothy 2 v 14-16)

We have a tendency to get caught up in arguments that generate more heat than light. Paul isn’t dismissing the importance of sound doctrine or theological precision, but rather warning against contentious debates that serve our ego more than God’s kingdom. You find them often on social media and they “ruin those who listen” tearing down rather than build up the body of Christ.

In contrast, we are to be students who handle Scripture with care, precision, and reverence. Let’s not twist meanings to fit our preferences, but allow God’s Word to speak clearly to those who will hear. We are called to approach Scripture with integrity, letting it say what it actually says rather than what we might wish it to say.

We don’t need to win the argument if there is no importance to the debate. If it doesn’t help us and others come closer to God then let us not carry on arguing.

Let us approach the reading of God’s Word with humility, recognising that we are the ones being examined by the Word, not the other way around.

Let us all be intentional with our words and thoughts. What are we feeding our minds? Are we growing in godliness or drifting toward spiritual emptiness?