2 Timothy 2:1-13

2 Timothy 2:1-13
You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. ² 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.

Be strong in what I told you.  Teach it to reliable men who will teach others.  2000 years later you and I are reading these words.  Timothy did as instructed.  Will I?  Will you?

³ Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. ⁴ No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. ⁵ Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules. ⁶ The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. ⁷ Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.

The soldier, and the athlete work hard toward a goal and keep their eyes fixed on it.  The farmer works hard and should receive his share.  We as Christians need to stay focused on our calling and there will be a harvest.
 
⁸ Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, ⁹ for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal.

Jesus Christ.  All God, yet all man too.

 But God’s word is not chained. ¹⁰ Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.

Paul willingly suffered for you and for me.  We read these letters because of his faithfulness to his calling and Timothy's faithfulness to his calling and the faithful men who followed them.  We need to be faithful to our calling for the generations that follow us.

¹¹ Here is a trustworthy saying:

If we died with him,
    we will also live with him;
¹² if we endure,
    we will also reign with him.
If we disown him,
    he will also disown us;
¹³ if we are faithless,
    he remains faithful,
    for he cannot disown himself.

Our actions will effect our relationship with God.  However, God cannot change who he is.  His character will never change.  His attributes are forever.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.