Loyalty to the Faith

II Timothy 1:13–18
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God’s work has been done by men and women who stood steadfast while suffering trials. Timothy was in a time of transition. He had been Paul’s right hand man but soon he would be on his own as leader of a church in a difficult environment. He was responsible to preserve sound teaching and to prevent corruption through distortion, dilution, deletion and addition. Paul says that it is not only a possibility but a constant threat. However it was the Holy Spirit who had committed the truth to Timothy, and He would help him guard it.

1. Be Loyal to God’s Word (vv. 13-14). The essentials for a successful ministry have not changed: courageous enthusiasm, shameless suffering and spiritual loyalty. The Holy Spirit must teach us (v. 14) and enable  us to guard the truth and share it with others. From the beginning of human history Satan has opposed God’s Word and used people in the church to attack the work of God.
2. Be Loyal to God’s Servant (vv. 15-18). You would think that the Asian believers would have stood by Paul; but instead, they were ashamed of him and at the same time, they were ashamed of Christ (4:16). Only one man dared to leave Ephesus and come to Rome to help Paul. His name was Onesiphorus. He located Paul and risked his own life to stand with him and assist him.

Application

How many ways can I help God’s Work be carried to the uttermost part of the earth?  How am I doing in this area?  Lord help me to always be loyal to my Lord!