Thurs.’s Devo - Paul’s Last Will and Testament

Read: 2 Timothy 1-4
Second Timothy was written at the very end of Paul’s life. He longed for Timothy to come to see him but knew that it might not happen before he was to be martyred so he poured his heart into his last letter. It was his last will and testament. He admonished Timothy to stir up the gift of God that was prophesied over him as a child and reminded him that God had not given him a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, love and self-control. Paul told him to hold fast the teachings he had given Timothy. He reminded Timothy of Phygellus and Hermogenes who heard the truth and became an enemy to the gospel. Then he reminded him of the rewards: we die to live with Christ, we suffer to reign with him, but if we deny him, he will deny us.
During the time of the early church there was much apostasy as the anti-christ spirit was alive and well in the church. They started as the Nicolatians and evolved into the Roman Catholic Church with a pope taking the place of God. Much of their beliefs were the same but their core was demonic and opposed the truth. Paul warned Timothy against this doctrine and against trying to convince them of their error: “…the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle not all men. apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves…that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.”
In Chapter 3, Paul gave us a description of what will happen in the last days in the world and in the church. Paul knew that Timothy had been taught the Word of God since he was a child and reminds him that ALL scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness. It will make the man of God perfect, fully equipped to do the work he is called to.
At the end of the letter, Paul gave a report of all his leaders and where they were ministering. He told him who to honor and who to stay away from. He bequeathed to him the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Lord, may we study to show ourselves tried by You, workmen that will never be ashamed but rightly divide the word of truth.