Lesson 560

(Lesson 560)(02-27-13) 2 Timothy 2:1-15, "Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits. Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things. Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel: Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound. Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

In today's lesson Paul instructs those who would take on the task of preachers or teachers to conduct themselves in a manner reflective of their that position. Not varying from the pure doctrine of Jesus Christ, and not allowing themselves to be coerced into applying fruitless restrictions on those who seek salvation through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Paul says, "Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:". Paul, in essence, is saying that he only preached the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He went on to say that everything he had done was done for the benefit of the Church, "I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory."

In the final portion of this lesson we are instructed to "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

If all professed "Christians" would obey this simple instruction, what a wonderful place this old world could be.

Sadly, mankind has so muddled the simple requirement for eternal salvation, by adding unnecessary demands, so as to virtually hide it from the lost. All that is required to be saved can be found in Acts 16:31 when Paul and Silas had been asked "Sirs, what must I do to be saved," "And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." There are NO other requirements.~