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 Ezra 8:22 For I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way: because we had spoken unto the king, saying, The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him; but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him.A convoy on many accounts would have been desirable for the pilgrim band, but a holy shame-facedness would not allow Ezra to seek one. He feared lest the heathen king should think his professions of faith in God to be mere hypocrisy, or imagine that the God of Israel was not able to preserve his own worshippers. He could not bring his mind to lean on an arm of flesh in a matter so evidently of the Lord, and therefore the caravan set out with no visible protection, guarded by him who is the sword and shield of his people. It is to be feared that few believers feel this holy jealousy for God; even those who in a measure walk by faith, occasionally mar the lustre of their life by craving aid from man. It is a most blessed thing to have no props and no buttresses, but to stand upright on the Rock of Ages, upheld by the Lord alone. Would any believers seek state endowments for their Church, if they remembered that the Lord is dishonored by their asking Caesar's aid? as if the Lord could not supply the needs of his own cause! Should we run so hastily to friends and relations for assistance, if we remembered that the Lord is magnified by our implicit reliance upon his solitary arm? My soul, wait thou only upon God. "But," says one, "are not means to be used?" Assuredly they are; but our fault seldom lies in their neglect: far more frequently it springs out of foolishly believing in them instead of believing in God. Few run too far in neglecting the creature's arm; but very many sin greatly in making too much of it. Learn, dear reader, to glorify the Lord by leaving means untried, if by using them thou wouldst dishonor the name of the Lord. Daily Light on the Daily Path Psalm 73:28 But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, That I may tell of all Your works.Psalm 26:8 O LORD, I love the habitation of Your house And the place where Your glory dwells. Psalm 84:10 For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand outside. I would rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God Than dwell in the tents of wickedness. Psalm 65:4 How blessed is the one whom You choose and bring near to You To dwell in Your courts. We will be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, Your holy temple. Lamentations 3:25 The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, To the person who seeks Him. Isaiah 30:18 Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to you, And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; How blessed are all those who long for Him. Hebrews 10:19,20,22 Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, • by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, • let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 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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