|
|
|
||||||
 |
Encouragement to Be Faithful 3I thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers.4Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy.5I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.6For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.7For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self–discipline.8So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God,9who has saved us and called us to a holy life–not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,10but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.11And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher.12That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day. 13What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus.14Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you–guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. 15You know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes. 16May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains.17On the contrary, when he was in Rome, he searched hard for me until he found me.18May the Lord grant that he will find mercy from the Lord on that day! You know very well in how many ways he helped me in Ephesus. Chapter 2 1You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.2And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.3Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.4No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs–he wants to please his commanding officer.5Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules.6The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.7Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.8Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel,9for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God's word is not chained.10Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. 11Here is a trustworthy saying: 12if we endure, 13if we are faithless,we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself. Topics: Jesus Christ of believers scripture reward my endurance union favorite confessing denial verses
Hide Notes
|
 |
||||||
 |
 |
 |
