The Pastoral Epistles: 2 Timothy 2 (5)

Pray Psalm 126.1-3.
When the LORD brought back the captivity of Zion,
We were like those who dream.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
And our tongue with singing.
Then they said among the nations,
“The LORD has done great things for them.”
The LORD has done great things for us,
Andwe are glad.

Read and meditate on 2 Timothy 2.20-23.

Reflect.
1. What should we as believers, and components of God’s house, be seeking?

2. How can we know when we are being useful to the Lord? 

Meditate.
Patience without complacency; progress without pushiness; honor rather than dishonor. So the Christian life proceeds from one degree of sanctification to another.

Paul is reminding Timothy that the Lord’s “great house” is made up of all kinds of people, at all stages of growth in and usefulness to the Lord (v. 20). Only the Holy Spirit can work that spiritual alchemy that turns wood and clay into gold and silver. We should not be content to be merely wood and clay, for such vessels are not what God intends of us, and cannot bring increasing honor to Him. 

But our calling is to bring honor to God (v. 21), and since we can bring more honor to Him by growing in grace than by settling into some comfort zone of faith, we really ought to press on, and to expect our shepherds to keep prodding and leading and directing us for greater growth in the Lord.

We do not look down on those who are not growing as fast or as much as we would hope; however, we do not want them to become complacent about their sanctification, but to seek progress daily, that they might honor the Lord more consistently.

The process in which we are engaged is sanctification. Having been set apart by God for Himself, He is now at work within us, willing and doing and transforming us, so that Jesus may increase in us. The more progress we realize in this process, the greater will be our usefulness to the Lord (v. 21). That is, the more we will be equipped, inclined, ready, and capable for doing those good works of love that are our testimony and witness to the world.

Those who are being sanctified leave behind the lusts and distractions of childhood, so that they might devote themselves to those Kingdom values that last: righteousness, faith, love, and peace (v. 22). This work begins in the heart, as Paul explained in 1 Timothy 1.5 (v. 22), and it requires us to avoid any snares or distractions that might divert us from our goal.

The more we work at our sanctification, the more consistent we will be in fulfilling our calling to the Kingdom and glory of God (1 Thess. 2.12).

Reflect.
1. How would you explain sanctification to a new believer? What is it? What does it involve? Who should be seeking it?

2. In your walk with and work for the Lord, what have been the most important contributors to progress in sanctification? 

3. What are the goals of sanctification? Where should we expect to see these goals being realized?

Every one of us, indeed, who is instructed in the holy Scripture is the administrator of some one of those gifts which, according to the gospel, have been apportioned to us. In this great household of the church not only are there vessels of every kind—gold, silver, wooden and earthen—but also a great variety of pursuits. Basil the Great (330-379), Homily on the Words: “Give Heed to Thyself”

Help me to grow in Jesus, Father! Let more of His gold and silver be seen in me today, especially as I…

Pray Psalm 126.1-3.
God has done many good things for us, to set us apart for Himself and His Kingdom. Today, how will “the astonished nations” see that God has done great things for you?

Sing Psalm 126.1-3.
Psalm 126.1-3 (Truro: Shout, for the Blessed Jesus Reigns!)
When God restored our fortunes all, we were like those who sweetly dream.
Our mouths with joy and laughter filled, made Him our constant song and theme.

Then the astonished nations said, “The Lord has done great things for them!”
Indeed, great things our God has done, Whose Name we praise, Amen, Amen!

T. M. Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006).All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter (available by clicking here).