QT 22/10/2024 Tue. 2Timothy 1. Cherishing Privileges. 珍惜特权.
QT 22/10/2024 Tue. 2Timothy 1. Cherishing Privileges.
READ http://www.esvbible.org/2tim1
Paul faced his "time of departure" (2Tim 4:6-8) in a lonely and dark prison. He anticipated execution but also thinks about the continuation of the gospel.
He encouraged Timothy to be steadfast (2Tim 1:6-2:13), to hold on to and teach sound doctrine (2Tim 2:14-4:8). As a human with human needs and emotions, Paul also made personal requests regarding friends, clothing (cloak) and Scripture (2Tim 4:13).
REFLECTION: What would you do if you also had "little time left"? Have you ever thought about it?
Paul took suffering as a matter of fact for his role as "preacher and apostle and teacher" (2Tim 1:11). While not all of us would face beheading in the immediate future, the preparedness for suffering goes along way in standing firm in the LORD's work as we look to the example of Jesus Christ.
APPLICATION: Be willing to suffer little inconveniences, discomfort and even more for the cause of Christ!
What Paul says here can be true for many believers. Even the OT prophets also provide examples of an enslaved people chosen and blessed by God. These people are given privileges and promises and with them the obligation to serve the Lord in every facet of life. The message of steadfastness and faithful service applied to them too.
But one pattern of these stories are that many people squander their privileges and fail to carry out the obligations that come with God's blessings. In preparing the coworker for the renewal of his calling, Paul taps on Timothy’s sense of loyalty and responsibility to the faith. Timothy was not to forget his family's relational and spiritual heritage.
Timothy was to live out his faith in service, to exercise the faith in him as a gift from God. God has somehow moved people to be near you and I. Our past and present relationships that we have experienced are opportunities to serve God continuously.
REFLECTION: Authentic faith in God requires more from us than simply adherence to doctrinal ideas. How can we respond further?
星期二 2024年10月22日 今日读经：提摩太后书1章. 珍惜特权。
http://m.bbintl.org/bible/ncv/2Ti/1/
保罗是在一个孤独、黑暗的监狱里面临他“离世的日子”（提摩太后书 4:6-8）。他预料到自己将被处斩但也思想着福音的持续。
他鼓励提摩太要坚守信仰(提后1:6-2:13),保守所交托他的善道(提后2:14-4:18)。作为一个有人类需求和情感的人，保罗也对朋友、衣服（外衣）和书籍做了安排（提摩太后书 4:13）。
反思：如果你的“时间所剩无几”了，你会怎么做？你可曾想过？
保罗把苦难视为理所当然的，因他扮演的角色是“传道人也是使徒和教师的身份”(提后1:11)。虽然我们不是每一个人都会在不久的将来面临斩首，预备接受苦难却是长远的，必须在主工作上站立得稳，并以耶稣基督为榜样。
应用：要因着基督，为小小的不方便、不舒适或甚至更多受苦！
保罗在这里所说的可能是许多信徒的真实想法。即使是圣经旧约的先知们也提供了被神拣选和赐福的受奴役子民的例子。这些人获得了特权和应许，同时也承担了在生活的各个方面事奉主的义务。坚定不移和忠心事奉的信息也适用于他们。
但这些故事的一个模式是，许多人浪费了他们的特权，没有履行伴随着神的赐福而来的义务。在为这位同工重新蒙召做准备时，保罗强调了提摩太对信仰的忠诚和责任感。提摩太不能忘记他家庭的关系和属灵遗产。
提摩太要在事奉中活出自己的信仰，将信仰作为上帝赐予他的礼物来行使。我们过去和现在所经历的关系是我们不断事奉神的机会。
反思：对神真正的信仰需要我们做的不仅仅是含有正确的教义。我们该如何进一步回应而行呢？
