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Introduction

What do you think about the Bible? On a scale of one to ten with 1 being least important and 10 being most important, where does the Bible rate? What evidence is there that you believe that scaled rating to be true? If you rate the Bible a “10” what evidence is there that it that important to you? Do you read it? Study it? Meditate on it? If you rate it a “7” do you at least bring it with you on Sunday? Do you at least read the text that is in the bulletin before coming to Sunday assembly? Do you read it more than just on Sunday?

If you rate it high, does the evidence support your belief? Or is the evidence more like you rate it a “3”? You bring it but you don’t read it during the week. You know that it is important but the hidden camera in your house reveals that it isn’t as important as you suggest. Our text today reveals what Paul believed about scripture and what he thought God’s people should think about it. What do you think about the Bible?

The Text

Throughout this second letter to Timothy, Paul has encouraged Timothy to remain committed to the truth even though the false teachers are making life miserable for him. As he comes to the final section of the main part of the letter, Paul reminds Timothy that God is a God who rescues. Timothy has seen God do this for Paul and Paul assures Timothy that God will do this for him. In fact, the reassurance is given in a statement that reflects the certainty of hardship. In verse 12, “everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” In Paul’s day that was true. The friction between Jewish thought and Christianity would produce persecution. But it wasn’t just from the Jewish context. There was great friction between Christianity and false Christianity and with political forces themselves.

All of this had led to persecution for Paul and Paul assures Timothy that he, too, will go through this. The same type of friction is not present today in large measure because of the political value of “toleration.” While this allows us to be accepted, the toleration, however, ends should we try to persuade another to come to Jesus. Our attempts to persuade as understood to be judgmental and the result is friction. Part of the reason for our lack of persecution is our willingness to accept “toleration” and be glad that others leave us alone. This reflects our willingness to avoid discomfort and to wait for others to come to us. Jesus didn’t wait; Paul didn’t wait; and God’s people don’t wait. We go to others looking to introduce them to the one who has changed our lives.

In an interesting twist, Paul contrasts Timothy and the evil people in verses 13—14. These evil people are those mentioned in the first part of this chapter—those who pretend to be believers but are not. Notice in verse 13, the phrase “will go” in the NIV. This is a phrase suggesting advancement or moving forward. These evil people will go from bad to worse. They will advance or move forward into the realm of evil. But, verse 14, Timothy is to continue in what he knows to be true. The word continue means to abide in or to stay put. While the evil ones advance, Timothy is to stay put.

He is to remain in the scriptures. His godly mother and grandmother (as previously mentioned in chapter 1) taught him the truth. Now he is to remain in these scriptures because these scriptures are from God and will equip Timothy for his work. Stay in the scriptures, Timothy.

Application

Snowfalls like we had last weekend simplify life. Things shut down. Things are so quiet. If we had more snowfalls we would grow weary of them, but the infrequency allows us to appreciate the beauty and serenity of snow. I can remember it like it was yesterday. I was just a child growing up in Nashville. We walked to the church building each assembly time. The snow had fallen. It was deep. At least deep for a small child. We would leave the side door of our house to go outside into the snow on that Sunday morning. Mom already had Sunday lunch cooking in the stove and you could smell the cooking roast. We would be back in a couple of hours and it would be tender and juicy and delicious.

Dad led the way out the door through a part of our back yard and then into our neighbor’s back yard and then through an opening in the hedge which led into a neighbor’s yard which was across from the church building. Dad started down the steps with these words, “Follow me. Just step where I step and you will be fine.” I can still smell the cold and sense the quiet as we left the warmth of the house that day. The snow covered ground was absolutely pristine. Unchartered territory.

It didn’t take me long to realize that I couldn’t follow in my dad’s footsteps. His strides were to long for a young fellow and I can remember getting very sad because my feet were getting wet and I couldn’t step as far as he was stepping and yet he kept going and the snow was so deep. I can remember crying and telling my dad to slow down. It then dawned on him what he had asked me to do and how impossible the task was for a short-legged person. You may think that my dad would have returned and picked me up and carried me the rest of the way. You don’t know my dad. While there were plenty of times that he carried me, there were also plenty of times that he told me to figure things out and take responsibility.

He took shorter strides and told me to stay in his steps and to quit crying. He told me we didn’t have far to go and that I could do this. I trusted him and I walked in the deep snow to the church building. I’m telling you today, we don’t have far to go. Stay in the Word. Don’t let t.v., Internet, and all other forms of media take you away from what is most important. Follow the path that others have walked. Stay in the scriptures. Continue in what you are convinced of.

What would that be? Jesus is Lord! Only those who belong to him can say that. The scriptures reveal the character and will of God. Stay in them. What does the Bible mean to you? Invitation.

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