2 Timothy 2:8-13
8 But make Jesus, the Anointed One, your focus in life and ministry. For he came to earth as the descendant of David and rose from the dead, according to the revelation of the gospel that God has given me. 9 This is the reason I am persecuted and imprisoned by evildoers, enduring the suffering of these chains—but the Word of God can never be chained! 10 I endure all these hardships for the benefit of the chosen ones in Christ so that they may also discover the overcoming life that is in Jesus Christ, and experience a glory that lasts forever!
11 You can trust these words:
If we were joined with him in his death, then we are joined with him in his life! 12 If we are joined with him in his sufferings, then we will reign together with him in his triumph. But if we disregard him, then he will also disregard us. 13 But even if we are faithless, he will still be full of faith, for he never wavers in his faithfulness to us!
We all crave the freedom to make our own choices, but sometimes the choices we must make for the sake of Christ the Anointed One are actually really hard or even painful. Christ may lead us into difficult situations to make choices that help us, as his followers, better understand and experience his life on earth. We may face persecution for our choices if we are committed to shine for the glory of God as the “chosen ones.”
In our passage today, the Apostle Paul exhorts Timothy to preach the revelation of the gospel so the chosen ones might know the life of Christ. Who are the chosen ones? They are the people who allow Christ, the righteous Lord, room [to rule] in their hearts. They are the ones who know the word of God is life and are willing to face the persecution and death of their flesh or sinful nature in order to glorify the rule of Christ in their lives. They are the ones who understand to disobey the word of God is to deny Christ. Lastly, they know by the Spirit their destiny in Christ is to become the living word of God to others in the world.
Prayer: Lord, please make my life a testimony of your presence living in me. Thank you for choosing me to reflect the living word. Help me to obey your word and to be faithful to my destiny, because you are always faithful. In Jesus’ name. Amen.