Day 17: Your Astounding Potential
Today’s Reading: 2 Timothy 2:1–13
Welcome to Day 17 of our 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting 2023. This is Week 3, The Church Multiplied.
The Focus: “You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses ENTRUST TO RELIABLE PEOPLE WHO WILL ALSO BE QUALIFIED TO TEACH OTHERS.” (2 Timothy 2:1–2 NIV)
The Meditation: “Entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.”
Further Than You Can See
In one verse Paul describes four generations of Christians. There is Paul himself, then Timothy, then the reliable people Timothy will teach, and then the others whom they will teach in turn (2 Timothy 2:2).
That is your potential. It is not measured by what you achieve alone. It is measured by what happens when you pass on what you have received, and those people pass it on again.
Strong in Grace
Before Paul gives Timothy the task, he gives him the strength for it. Timothy is to be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 2:1). We do not multiply by straining. We draw on grace, and we give away what grace has given us.
Soldier, Athlete, Farmer
Paul uses three pictures of what this takes. A soldier puts up with hardship and does not get tangled in civilian affairs, because he wants to please his commanding officer. An athlete competes according to the rules. A hard-working farmer is the first to receive a share of the crop (2 Timothy 2:3–6).
Each of them accepts a cost now for the sake of something later. Making disciples is slow work, and it is worth it.
Remember Jesus Christ
At the centre of the passage is a short command: remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead (2 Timothy 2:8). Paul was chained like a criminal when he wrote this. But God’s word is not chained (2 Timothy 2:9).
He closes with a saying the early church could trust. If we died with Christ, we will also live with Him. If we endure, we will also reign with Him. And even when we are faithless, He remains faithful (2 Timothy 2:11–13).
Pray It Through
Thank God for your Paul. Who passed the faith on to you? Thank God for them, and tell them if you can.
Look for your Timothy. Ask God to show you one person you could encourage and teach.
Choose a picture. Soldier, athlete or farmer: which one do you most need to be like at the moment?
Prayer for Today
Father, thank You for the people who passed the faith on to me. Make me strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. Show me who I can invest in, and give me patience for slow work. Help me to remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead. Thank You that You remain faithful. In His name, Amen.
Listen and Watch
Pastor Ras shares a short message for Day 17 in the audio and video below.
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