Day 207

Key Verses: 5, 9, 12, 14

The influence of a godly family should never be underestimated. Timothy had just such a family. Also what is interesting to note is that Timothy’s spiritual bloodline is through his mother and not his father. Paul mentions his grandmother and his mother, but not the male counterparts. Moms, you have a vital role to play. Never underestimate your worth. All of us are saved with God’s purpose in mind. He wants us to live holy lives.

We don’t have this relationship with God based on something we have or have not done. God’s grace makes it happen. Never forget this. “You didn’t make that” has some truth to it. Without God’s grace, nothing would exist. We couldn’t breathe, let alone live godly lives, apart from everything God created. Every moment of every day is grace.

Notice in verse twelve that Paul is not sold on a philosophy or teaching, but on a person. “I know whom”, not “I know what.” Knowing Jesus is the good news. When we know Him, then our future is secure. If you take Jesus out of Christianity you have nothing but hollow promises and pious words. But when we have Jesus, the whole game changes. Jesus is like the wringer brought into the high school football game for the all crucial playoffs. The talent of the one individual overshadows all the other players. Their best efforts cannot stop the win from coming. The win is inevitable.

Paul urges Timothy to stick with the game plan, the simple truth of Jesus. Paul says that this Truth must be guarded. It can be lost, but not stolen. If we pay attention to the Holy Spirit, we won’t fall prey to Satan’s tricks. But it can be hard in this world of competing voices to stay tuned in to the Holy Spirit.

Paul names two individuals who lost their focus in ministry, and one who remained faithful. I know that I want to remain faithful.