Pass It On

2 Timothy 2:1-10 Paul is writing these letters to Timothy to counsel and encourage him as a new pastor. II Timothy was written from a Roman prison shortly before Paul was executed under the emperor Nero. Timothy is reminded of his source of strength: “Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” One often wonders why we tend to depend on our own strength so much of the time, especially when it always comes up short. When we are told to do something, for example, “be strong...”, it tells us at least two things. First that it is possible, and second that it is a choice. We can make a decision to depend on our own strength or we can decide to depend on the strength that is in Christ." Depending on our own strength requires that we do whatever seems to be right in our own mind. Depending on Him requires that we ask Him, know the truth about Him, trust in and wait on, and rely on Him. And prayerfully do the things that He lays on our heart, with the expectation that He will produce the results in keeping with His glory and our good. Verse two puts our task of being a witness for Christ in a little different perspective. Certainly, we must lead people into a saving knowledge of the Lord, but it mustn't stop there. Because one's children do not inherit their relationship with the Lord automatically, we need not only to lead people to the Lord, but also to teach and encourage them to be able to teach and encourage still others. Two additional items that we so often forget: Endure hardship as a good soldier and stay focused on what He’s called us to do. When things become difficult and everything seems to go wrong, it may be that we’ve done something wrong; but very often it's because we’ve done it right and we are getting flak from the enemy. We can discern the difference by the truth of the Word and the witness of our spirits. Don’t forget — our strength comes from the Lord.