Rightly explaining the word of truth
O God, our refuge and strength, true source of all godliness: Graciously hear the devout prayers of your Church, and grant that those things which we ask faithfully, we may obtain effectually; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
(Anglican Book of Common Prayer, 2019, Proper 23)
2 Timothy 2:8-15 NRSV
Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David—that is my gospel, for which I suffer hardship, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained. Therefore, I endure everything for the sake of the elect, so that they may also obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. The saying is sure: if we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he will also deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself. Remind them of this and warn them before God that they are to avoid wrangling over words, which does no good but only ruins those who are listening. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by him, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of truth.
Paul’s Gospel encouragement to Timothy
- The resurrected Jesus Christ is God’s promised Messiah and Lord. Salvation – right standing with God, eternal life – comes only through him.
- The Christian life is a life fully identified with the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
- The Christian is to live by seeking to rightly know, obey, and share God’s Word – the Gospel.
Chrysostom
You are a spiritual soldier. This kind of soldier does not sleep on an ivory bed but on the ground. He is not anointed with perfumed oils. These are the concern of those corrupt men who dally with courtesans, of those who act on the stage, of those who live carelessly. You must not smell of perfumes but of virtue.
(Ancient Christian Devotional Year C, p. 235)
Augustine
Let us believe in Christ crucified; but in him as the one who rose again on the third day. That’s the faith that distinguishes us from them, distinguishes us from the pagans, distinguishes us from the Jews 0 the faith by which we believe that Jesus Christ has risen from the dead. The apostle says to Timothy, “Remember that Jesus Christ has risen from the dead, of the seed of David, according to my gospel.” Hold firmly in your hearts, profess it with your lips, that Christ has risen from the dead. (Ancient Christian Devotional Year C, p. 235)
O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh; and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Anglican Book of Common Prayer, 2019)
We are all missionaries. Wherever we go, we either bring people nearer to Christ or we repel them from Christ.
(Eric Liddell, Olympic champion and missionary to China)
Hear the Call of the Kingdom
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Corinthians 4.15).
