Godly Influence

Influence

Paul reminds Timothy that he experienced and witnessed all the persecution and difficulties that Paul faced while establishing churches. Though the persecutions were substantial, Paul remained faithful to the Lord. He lists several ways that he was faithful. He taught truth in the face of opposition. He conducted himself in a godly way when his flesh wanted to lash out. He remained focus on his purpose and did not allow discouragement to dominate him. He leaned on his faith in Christ when things seemed impossible. He loved his enemies. He persevered through the persecution. He accepted the suffering and persecution for the advancement of the gospel. Paul served as a tremendous influence to people like Timothy and Luke. They witnessed his love, passion, and zeal for the Lord. Not only did they witness it, but Paul calls them to replicate it.

11 [a]Prescribe and teach these things. 12 Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example [b]of those who believe. 13 Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching. 14 Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the [c]presbytery. 15 Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all. 16 Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will [d]ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.

We are an influence to others

The way we conduct our lives influence others. People watch what we do and determine whether we are trustworthy. How we conduct ourselves will determine how much influence we have on others. For example, If a person has a quick temper and demonstrates it often, will you be willing to allow that person to influence you? Conversely, if a person handles a stressful situation with grace and patience, would you let that person have influence in your life? Absolutely. Christians allow others that exhibit godly characteristics to influence their lives. Followers of Jesus should not let worldly people influence their lives. What are things you look for in a person before you will engage in building a relationship with them? What are some things that you see in a person that would deter you from having a relationship with?

So we must ask ourselves the question, “What kind of example am I living?” What kind of influence are you having on those around you?

Persecution and Deliverance

Paul was persecuted everywhere he went. He expected persecution in every town he went to. He knew that the advancement of the gospel would not come without a cost. Paul knew that he was going to face suffering.

10 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 And the Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying, 12 and he has seen [a]in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him, so that he might regain his sight.” 13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he did to Your [b]saints at Jerusalem; 14 and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen [c]instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; 16 for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.”

Paul knew that his lot in life was to suffer for the advancement of the gospel. This is the lot for every believer. Paul says that every person that lives for Jesus Christ should expect persecution. Jesus also said this:

33 These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”

18 “If the world hates you, [a]you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know the One who sent Me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have [b]sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 He who hates Me hates My Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would not have [c]sin; but now they have both seen and hated Me and My Father as well. 25 But they have done this to fulfill the word that is written in their Law, ‘They hated Me without a cause.’

If we are living for the Lord, we should expect persecution. The reason many Christians are not facing persecution today is because they choose to remain silent on things that need to be changed. Statistics show that only 3 out of 10 Christians ever share the gospel. The gospel is offensive and we do not like conflict. Rather than introducing the gospel into a relationship, it is easier to walk away. Many Christians are fearful of becoming uncomfortable for their faith. I believe this is why so many people are reluctant to share their faith.

Why do you believe so many Christians are reluctant to share their faith?

We must be willing to suffer for what we believe. If we fail to make a stand for fear of persecution, then the enemy wins.

The Lord Delivers

Paul said that the Lord delivered Paul from all of his persecution. His life was never taken before the Lord was through with him. He suffered at the hands of sinful men, but they were not able to take his life. Eventually he gave his life for what he believed. He was ready to go.

21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 [s]But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know [t]which to choose. 23 But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; 24 yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy [u]in the faith, 26 so that your proud confidence in me may abound in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again.

Paul knew that no one could take his life and if they did, he would be with the Lord.

Would you be willing to suffer for your faith, knowing that the Lord will deliver you? What would you be willing to suffer? What is your limit?

The Scriptures Are Our Strength

Paul encourages Timothy to continue in the things he had learned from his childhood that leads a person to faith in Jesus Christ. This is the Scripture! In order to live for the Lord, you must be a person of the Word. God tells us how to live for him in the Scriptures. He tells us what to do and what not to do. He also uses the Holy Spirit to guide us into the application of the scriptures. He does this in 4 ways: Teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness.

Teaching

God’s word reveals wisdom to our hearts minds and soul. It reveals God to us. It teaches us to be more Christ-like.

If we want to be more like Christ we must study His word.

Reproof

2 Timothy: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary The Reproving Scripture

A second work of the Word in the life of believers is that of reproof. Elegmos (reproof) carries the idea of rebuking in order to convict of misbehavior or false doctrine. As with teaching, Scripture’s work of reproof has to do with content, with equipping believers with accurate knowledge and understanding of divine truth, in this context divine truth that exposes falsehood and sin, erroneous belief, and ungodly conduct

The Bible reveals sin in our life. It tells us what is unacceptable to God.

Correction

Correction is Scripture’s positive provision for those who accept its negative reproof. “Therefore, putting aside all malice and all guile and hypocrisy and envy and all slander,” Peter admonishes, “like newborn babes, long for the pure milk of the word, that by it you may grow in respect to salvation” ().

John F. MacArthur Jr., 2 Timothy, MacArthur New Testament Commentary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1995), 160.

Not only does God’s word reveal what is unacceptable, but it also shows us how to get out of our sin.

Training in righteousness

As with teaching, reproof, and correction, godly believers—especially leaders in the church—are instruments through which Scripture provides training for God’s people. After reminding Timothy that “everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, if it is received with gratitude; for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer” (), Paul assured him that “in pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following” (v. 6, emphasis added).

John F. MacArthur Jr., 2 Timothy, MacArthur New Testament Commentary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1995), 161–162.

God’s Word also shows us what we need to do for righteous living

Without studying God’s we will not know God’s standard for living. If we don’t know God’s standard for living we will not know where we are missing the mark (sin). If we don’t know our sin, then we can’t take steps to correct it so we continue sinning. If we continue to sin then we will fail to walk in righteousness. Studying God’s word is the solution!