2 Timothy 3:5-9
5 …Avoid such people [false teachers]. 6 For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, 7 always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.

Certain women in the Ephesian church which Timothy pastored were identified by Paul as “weak.” They were susceptible to false teachers, who presumably took advantage of them for money, influence, and possibly sex. Even today, many false teachers (some televangelists, for example) do the same thing.

So what made these women weak and vulnerable? Paul identifies three factors:

1. They were “burdened with sins” (v. 6). They were weighed down by sinful habits; thus, their spiritual discernment was dulled, and they were likely looking for a “silver bullet” that would magically eliminate their sinful behaviors.
2. They were “led astray by various passions” (v. 6). Their passions led them to further sin; moreover, these passions may have caused them to lust after the flashy, trendy, fine-sounding words of the false teachers who peddled a new-and-improved gospel.
3. They were “always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth” (v. 7). The above passage runs in parallel to 4:3-4, which explains that people love to “accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions”; rather, they “will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.” While the women Paul mentions are eating up the things these teachers say, they are arriving not at truth but at falsehood.

So here’s how we can guard against vulnerability to false teaching:

1. Flee sin. There is no such thing as a harmless sin; every sin is a gateway to a world of evil. Every foolish choice leads to more foolish choices down the road. Eventually, we place ourselves in a position where we cannot discern right from wrong or truth from error. We may become desperate for something, anything to help us escape the pain that results from opposition to our Lord. It is far better to prevent this from happening in the first place…as the old proverb goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
2. Beware of our natural lust for catchy slogans, charming leaders, and clever (but non-biblical) teachings. We so easily mistake professionalism, prosperity, and charisma for truth and spiritual maturity.
3. Be careful where we direct our zeal. Just because I’m enthusiastically digging into an appealing teaching doesn’t mean that I am growing in the knowledge of the truth. If we are to know God more, our delight must lie in the truth of His Word (3:15-17).

2 Timothy 3:1-2
1 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy…

One of the sacred cows of popular psychology is that most of your confidence problems can be attributed to a failure to love yourself.  Biblically, however, the problem is not loving yourself; in fact, the Bible teaches that we naturally love ourselves.  This is evidenced by the fact that we take care of ourselves (Ephesians 5:29), making sure we get enough to eat or drink, seeking pleasure, avoiding pain, etc.  Even someone who commits suicide is doing so out of his own interest — he believes that ultimately it will relieve himself of pain.

The problem is that love for ourselves can in fact be a problem.  It can overshadow our love for others, in violation of God’s commandment:  “In humility count others more significant than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3).  It can be a symptom of pride — that we treasure ourselves more than we treasure others — more than we treasure God himself.

This kind of thinking is a major source of sinful behavior.  I see it in myself when I succumb to laziness or when my words are intended to build up my own reputation rather than building up others.  Quite frankly, I love myself a lot, and I don’t need other people to tell me to do it more.  Rather, I need to be reminded of the greatest commandment:  “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself” (Luke 10:27).

2 Timothy 3:1-9
1 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. 6 For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, 7 always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. 8 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith. 9 But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men.

It’s easy to hold to an “us vs. them” mentality in regard to the world outside the church. We could look at the moral standards of our culture and complain about the lack of godliness around us — while forgetting that we as Christians are called to be shining lights for Christ. Too often, the trouble comes from within; the focus in 2 Timothy seems to be primarily on people from within the church who oppose the truth. This is one of the devil’s favorite tactics — to divide congregations, each man against his brother (Ephesians 4:25-27). Often these divisions are avoidable, sometimes they are necessary, but always they are tragic. One important thing I’ve learned as part of a pastoral staff and as a pastor’s son is that the most dangerous enemy of sound doctrine and church unity usually comes not from outside, but from inside the church. So we must always be on guard for the souls of others, teaching, encouraging, and confronting in love; moreover, we need to keep watch on our own souls as well, so no “root of bitterness” (Hebrews 12:7) develops within us.

Rather than being a deterrent to evangelism, unconditional election should be a doctrine which encourages us to bring the gospel to the world. Why? Because there are many elect in the world who will “obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus.” It becomes less intimidating to realize that many unbelievers whom we interact with may be elect — that God has determined to save them. So we can bring the gospel to the world with confidence, knowing it is not up to us to persuade others with glitzy presentations or fine arguments, but rather to bring the gospel message regardless of our inadequacy.

I’m not trying to knock the means we use…obviously, God uses means to accomplish his purposes, and we are commanded to let our speech “always be gracious, seasoned with salt” (Colossians 4:6). Thankfully, though, we can still impact others’ lives without half of our church budget going to the band, a laser show, and the church coffee bar. It’s God’s Spirit that changes hearts. That’s a cause that we can “endure everything” for.

It’s amazing how I have failed to believe and live out these implications of unconditional election. May God continue to teach us and conform us to his Word.

“Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry.” –2 Timothy 4:11

“Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. Erastus remained at Corinth, and I left Trophimus, who was ill, at Miletus. Do your best to come before winter. Eubulus sends greetings to you, as do Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brothers.” –2 Timothy 4:19-21

What fun would it be just to dwell on rejection?  A neat thing about Christianity is the fellowship we have with one another.  The fact that we hold this fundamental thing in common — the kingdom of God –  unites us like nothing else can.  It’s wonderful to be able to go to other countries and spend time with people you’ve never met, yet experience the bond of love that unites us all in the body of Christ.  Other believers can encourage, aid, and equip us in our service for God.

It would be a serious mistake to adopt a “just me and Jesus” mentality.  If we try to be Lone Ranger Christians, we neglect the body of Christ and therefore Christ himself.  Moreover, we neglect our own spiritual health.  Thank God for the friends that he brings into our lives!

“Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have swerved from the truth….They are upsetting the faith of some.”  –2 Timothy 2:17-18

“For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica.”  –2 Timothy 4:9

“Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds.  Beware of him yourself, for he strongly opposed our message.”  –2 Timothy 4:14-15

Paul had quite a list of enemies.  He mentioned more of them by name in this book than anywhere else.  Some of these were from outside the church, such as Alexander, while others rose from within the church.  Most painful of all was Demas’ betrayal — the desertion by someone who was close to Paul.

Christianity is not meant for those who want to be friends with everyone.  We will face rejection from without and within if we really believe the truth of the gospel in all its glory and offense.

Paul points out that our willingness to suffer is drawn directly from our theology — specifically, the doctrine of unconditional election.

2 Timothy 1:8-12
8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, 9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, 10 and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11 for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, 12 which is why I suffer as I do.

This is a doctrine that I used to hate because it stood opposed to my self-made concepts of who God was and how he should behave. I was shocked by the idea that God would choose some and not others for salvation. In an attempt to sidestep the clear scriptural teaching on this matter, I resorted to a common response: before the creation of the world, God looked down the tunnel of time and foresaw who would respond to his grace with repentance and belief; then, he chose the ones who would respond favorably.

This was nothing more than speculation, and it already stood on shaky ground because it has no scriptural support. It’s an invention of a desperate human mind. Moreover, it is contradicted by v. 9 above, which says that God did not call us to salvation “because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace.” Our election was not due to some action on our part. It was due entirely to God’s purpose, for God has a purpose in choosing some for salvation and not others.

If we really believed this, we would not have such a strong sense of entitlement in our churches. Deep down, we believe that in some way, we deserved to be saved. There was just something about me — maybe it’s because I was smarter than other people; maybe I was just more righteous than them. How lucky God is to have such a fine, intelligent man in his kingdom!

Appropriately, Charles Spurgeon mocked such a man-centered view of election with his “Arminian Prayer”:

Lord, I thank thee I am not like those poor presumptuous Calvinists. Lord, I was born with a glorious free-will; I was born with power by which I can turn to thee of myself; I have improved my grace. If everybody had done the same with their grace that I have, they might all have been saved. Lord, I know thou dost not make us willing if we are not willing ourselves. Thou givest grace to everybody; some do not improve it, but I do. There are many that will go to hell as much bought with the blood of Christ as I was; they had as much of the Holy Ghost given to them; they had as good a chance, and were as much blessed as I am. It was not thy grace that made us to differ; I know it did a great deal, still I turned the point; I made use of what was given me, and others did not — that is the difference between me and them.

Rightly did Spurgeon call that “a prayer for the devil.” No one would be bold enough to say those things — instead, we imagine ourselves safe when we merely think them. Led by a high view of ourselves, we take our salvation for granted, abandoning it to pursue other trifles that are nothing but a vapor.

If there is something about me that brought about my salvation, then I am in some sense entitled to it. And if I am entitled to “life and immortality” (v. 10), then there is no reason to suffer for it. I’ll leave the suffering up to the other poor fools who aren’t as good as I am.

May God have mercy on us. We have neglected this doctrine for the sake of our own comfort. I pray that this teaching may soak into me, that this word may penetrate me to the core of my being, that I would always remember that I am saved apart from my own merit, ability, or wisdom. I pray that I may reject this entitlement mentality. I pray that I may gladly sacrifice and suffer for the God who has chosen me and loves me. O Lord, may you alone receive the praise for your great work of salvation!

In the light of this precious doctrine, let’s rejoice in the gospel of the power of God!

2 Timothy 1:10-14
10 [God's own purpose and grace] now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11 for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, 12 which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me. 13 Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 14 By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.

The tension between divine sovereignty and human responsibility is a paradox we see throughout scripture.  By a paradox, I simply mean something that appears self-contradictory, absurd, and false, but is in fact true.  When we approach this passage with the question, “Who will guard what God has entrusted to us?” — then we arrive at a paradox.  For we see that Jesus Christ, the one “who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (v. 10) holds all the power necessary to guard this deposit.  We trust that he will protect and preserve the ministry to which each of us has been appointed (v. 11).  Paul had confidence that the churches he planted would continue strong even after his death.  He knew that they were under the care of Jesus Christ, who knows best how to care for his own.

Yet we ourselves are responsible to guard this deposit (v. 14).  We can’t simply “let go and let God.”  This requires effort on our part — effort drawing on the strength of “the Holy Spirit who dwells within us” (v. 14).  How do we guard our ministries?  We “follow the pattern of the sound words” (v. 13) that we have been taught.  We are not called to be doctrinal innovators but rather doctrinal preservers.  By guarding the truth of Jesus Christ, we guard the source of our life.  We are called to do this “in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus” (v. 13).  We guard not with fierce words, impatience, and scorn, but in faith that Christ will preserve his own and in the love that he has for them.

It is critical to protect other believers from false teaching.  The apostle James wrote, “My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins” (James 5:19-20).  How thrilled we should be to stand on guard for one another’s soul!  May God grant us this love and an unshakable trust that he will never forsake his children!

2 Timothy 2:4
No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.

A nice short verse to think about, but it’s been bouncing around in my head for the last few days. As believers, we’ve got to stay “on mission,” and we do a pretty poor job of it. One of the biggest challenges we face in Salt and Light is students who fill up their schedules with school, sports, work, and other “busyness” without setting aside time for prayer, the Word, discipleship, etc. In that respect, we’re no different from the rest of the church.
Why bother calling yourself a Christian if your actions show you don’t give a crap about Christ, his kingdom, and his church?

And it troubles me, too. The whole book of 2 Timothy paints a picture of a life of fearlessness and sacrifice, which lies in absurd contrast to my own. I think this is good in that it is developing in me a fear of entanglement — a fear that I may indulge myself in pursuits that lead me away from the straight and narrow, that blur the glory of our heavenward call, that pull my gaze away from Jesus Christ.

“Ever, only, all for Thee” — that’s how I need to live. I think it starts on a small level…not indulging myself during work by wasting time on the Internet, or other trifles. It’s a good place to begin. I’ve also been meaning to become a part of Big Brothers Big Sisters…to invest the love of Christ in the life of someone who has never received it before.

2 Timothy 4:6-8
6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

Will we love the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ?  That future event is something only Christians can look forward to with eagerness.  For the unbelieving world, it is not good news but bad news, as we read in the book of Revelation.  When Christ comes, he will reward those who have been justified by his blood and sanctified by the Spirit.  On that day, we will receive “the crown of righteousness” (v. 8).  I wonder what that means.  What is this crown?  All we can know is that it is a treasure and prize of worth beyond what this world can offer.  Paul devoted his life to the cause of the kingdom, and he eagerly awaited his reward.

May our eyes be fixed on the reward waiting for us!  Above all, let us yearn for the day when Jesus will say to us, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21)!  How beautiful are those words!