Bible League: Living His Word And athletes cannot win the prize unless they follow the rules.What, exactly, does our verse for today mean? We know what it means, of course, literally, but Paul is not speaking literally. What does it mean, then, metaphorically? In order to properly answer this question Paul gave some advice. He said "Think about what I am saying," and, if that is done, then "The Lord will help you understand all these things" (II Timothy 2:7). If we think about what Paul is saying, the first thing we notice is the context of the metaphor. Paul's letter is a letter of instruction and encouragement to Timothy, one of his disciples and co-workers in the ministry. He instructs Timothy to teach all the things he was taught by Paul to "trust-worthy people" (II Timothy 2:2). The metaphor, then, applies to and stands for a teacher of the gospel message. Teachers of the gospel are like athletes. In what respect is a teacher of the gospel like an athlete? Like an athlete, a teacher must go through some training in order to properly teach the gospel. Timothy had been trained by the best – the Apostle Paul himself. Further, like an athlete, a teacher of the gospel must actually participate in the activity he has trained for. There is no sitting on the sidelines allowed. Timothy was ready to begin his teaching duties at Ephesus. Like an athlete, a teacher of the gospel is striving to win a prize. The prize in question is the reward a teacher of the gospel receives in the next life. A teacher will receive a reward for having successfully passed on his knowledge of the gospel and the word of God to those he teaches. All the training and effort culminate ultimately in the "crown of life" that James says is in store for all those who stand firm in their service (James 1:12). Finally, like an athlete, a teacher of the gospel must compete according to the rules. A good teacher can't just do whatever he wants. He must teach the pure gospel of Jesus Christ, he must endure all the difficulties and opposition his ministry encounters, and he must persevere until the goal is reached. Teachers aren't the only ones who are like athletes, however. Every Christian, no matter what their calling, must train, compete for the prize, and play by the rules. Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingIsaiah 1, 2, 3 Isaiah 1 -- Israel's Rebellion and Zion's Corruption NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Isaiah 2 -- The Coming of God's Kingdom and a Day of Judgment NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Isaiah 3 -- Judgment on Leaders, the Wicked, and Judah's Women NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Galatians 2 Galatians 2 -- Paul at Jerusalem; Dispute with Peter NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion When we tell you these things, we do not use words that come from human wisdom. Instead, we speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit's words to explain spiritual truths.Insight Everyone wants to be wise. Yet Paul taught the Corinthians that true wisdom or discernment requires the believer to be guided by the Holy Spirit. Because Satan's greatest impact on us occurs when he decieves us, we need the Holy Spirit's help. Spiritual discernment enables us to draw conclusions based on God's perspective, make wise decisions in difficult circumstances, recognize the activities of God's Spirit, distinguish the correct and incorrect use of Scripture, and identify and expose false teachers. Challenge Ask God to give you his discernment as you serve him. Let that discernment guide you in your daily walk. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Songs 5:2 I sleep, but my heart waketh.Paradoxes abound in Christian experience, and here is one--the spouse was asleep, and yet she was awake. He only can read the believer's riddle who has ploughed with the heifer of his experience. The two points in this evening's text are--a mournful sleepiness and a hopeful wakefulness. I sleep. Through sin that dwelleth in us we may become lax in holy duties, slothful in religious exercises, dull in spiritual joys, and altogether supine and careless. This is a shameful state for one in whom the quickening Spirit dwells; and it is dangerous to the highest degree. Even wise virgins sometimes slumber, but it is high time for all to shake off the bands of sloth. It is to be feared that many believers lose their strength as Samson lost his locks, while sleeping on the lap of carnal security. With a perishing world around us, to sleep is cruel; with eternity so near at hand, it is madness. Yet we are none of us so much awake as we should be; a few thunder-claps would do us all good, and it may be, unless we soon bestir ourselves, we shall have them in the form of war, or pestilence, or personal bereavements and losses. O that we may leave forever the couch of fleshly ease, and go forth with flaming torches to meet the coming Bridegroom! My heart waketh. This is a happy sign. Life is not extinct, though sadly smothered. When our renewed heart struggles against our natural heaviness, we should be grateful to sovereign grace for keeping a little vitality within the body of this death. Jesus will hear our hearts, will help our hearts, will visit our hearts; for the voice of the wakeful heart is really the voice of our Beloved, saying, "Open to me." Holy zeal will surely unbar the door. "Oh lovely attitude! He stands With melting heart and laden hands; My soul forsakes her every sin; And lets the heavenly stranger in." Daily Light on the Daily Path 2 Corinthians 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.John 1:14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. Psalm 45:2 You are fairer than the sons of men; Grace is poured upon Your lips; Therefore God has blessed You forever. Luke 4:22 And all were speaking well of Him, and wondering at the gracious words which were falling from His lips; and they were saying, "Is this not Joseph's son?" 1 Peter 2:3 if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord. 1 John 5:10 The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son. John 3:11 "Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know and testify of what we have seen, and you do not accept our testimony. Psalm 34:8 O taste and see that the LORD is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! 2 Corinthians 12:9 And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Ephesians 4:7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift. 1 Peter 4:10 As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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