Some thoughts on successful living

One of my favorite Books in the Bible is 2 Timothy. Second Timothy is the last words of the apostle Paul. Last words are lasting words. Paul, the great missionary, evangelist and teacher, is instructing Timothy how to live his life. How do we leave a great legacy? How can we make our lives count for eternity? What does God expect of us? All of these questions are answered in 2 Timothy 1:13-2:2. The aged apostle reveals four imperatives that must be present in all our lives.

First, we must teach the truth. 2 Timothy 1:13 says, “Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me….” Paul refers to the truth as “sound words.” Sound words means healthy words. The truth is healthy words that produce spiritual life. The truth is found in the Bible. Later in chapter 2 Paul says that the words of false teachers “will spread like gangrene.” False teaching is a deadly disease that produces spiritual death. The truth always points us to Jesus.

What is the source of these sound words? Paul says, “….the standard of sound words which you heard from me.” It is the truth given to the apostles. God used the apostles to write the New Testament. You must be a person who teaches the Bible. Many years ago Johnny Appleseed planted apple trees throughout the Ohio River Valley We. must spread the truth of God’s Word in the lives of those around you.

Our children love to hear stories about important times in our lives. It’s always good to share stories with your children how the truth of God’s Word has impacted your life.

Second, we must live the truth. 2 Timothy 1:13 reads, “Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.” The first half of verse 13 deals with Timothy’s teaching. The second half of verse 13 deals with Timothy’s life. We must teach the Bible to others but we must also live the Bible. We must live out our lives and ministry in faith. Your personal example is very powerful.

Third, we must guard the truth. Verse 14 commands, “Guard, through the Holy Spirit, Who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you.” It literally says, “Guard the good deposit.” The image comes from the banking culture. My nephew recently left to study in Greece. We had a great debate whether he should take a money belt. Money is important but the truth is even more important. The church is God’s family and the truth is the treasure.

The word guard is a military word. We are sentinels called to protect the truth. Paul reminds us that we are part of a long line of godly men and women (2 Timothy 2:2). There are many threats to the truth. Sometimes we get distracted and focus on the wrong things. The apostles were reminded in Acts 6 to not focus on serving tables but on teaching and living and guarding the truth. Sometimes the truth is distorted. Paul mentions Phygelus and Hermogenes (2 Timothy 1:15). They failed to guard the truth. He also mentions Onesiphorus (2 Timothy 1:16-17). He faithfully guarded the truth.

Fourth, we must pass on the truth. Paul told Timothy, “The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2). Paul basically said, “You received the truth from me. Now you must deposit it with others.”

Discipleship is teaching and modeling. Timothy understood that Jesus died for his sins on Paul’s first missionary journey. Timothy accompanied Paul on his second and third missionary journeys also. He was with Paul during his first Roman imprisonment. Timothy ministered with Paul in Ephesus. Timothy heard the apostle Paul teach the truth. He also saw Paul model the truth. Discipleship is teaching with a personal example.

God the Father gave the truth to the Lord Jesus. Jesus gave the truth to the apostles. The apostles handed the truth down to us in the Bible. We must take the Word of God and teach it, live it, guard it and pass it on to others. God is going to evaluate us on how we handle the treasure.

Ethan Hansen is the pastor of Faith Bible Fellowship in Big Lake.