Faithful in Perilous Times

Background Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-17; 4:1-22
Lesson Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-5, 10-17

Introduction

Our lesson title is a positive statement of hope and courage. The word perilous means full of danger or risk. Since the first temptation in the garden of Eden, evil has taken on many different forms. All Christians have lived in perilous times. However, the promises of God have proved equal to every test. The divine grace of heaven will never lose its saving power over sin or fail in giving us the ability to cope with the discouraging circumstances of life. Every age has produced its heroes of faith. While the names of many have been recorded, most warriors of the faith have borne a quiet and unspoken witness of dedication and firm commitment to God. Like Esther, we have been called to live in our day. May our faith in God be strong, and may we live with courage, being inspired to “earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 3).

Key Verse

Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life (Rev. 2:10).

Lesson Scripture

Studying the Lesson

The apostle Paul addressed his second letter to Timothy as “my dearly beloved son” (2 Tim. 1:2). He had watched as Timothy began to mature as a sincere follower of Christ. With a father’s care, he endeavored to bolster the faith of this young disciple by showing him what the experiences of following Christ and the holy Word had taught him.

Believers of all times have thought they were living in the last days. Each age has had ample evil to make this seem true. The passage of time has not introduced any new evil spirits or carnal lusts. The manifestations of sin in man’s fallen nature have only changed as knowledge has increased and the world has progressed. Paul’s enumeration of the evils foreseen was not just a morbid list of troubles to come, but also an encouragement to be keenly aware of the enemy of the soul and of his tactics to ensnare the faithful.

When instructing Timothy to observe his life of faithfulness, Paul was not exhibiting pride; he rather considered himself to be a sinful man, even the chiefest of all sinners (1 Tim. 1:15). By using himself as an example, he was showing that by God’s power one is well able to overcome. This father then gave an encouragement to remain true and to grow in the faith. The victories of yesterday are building blocks for success today and more growth tomorrow. This would not come by persistent self-effort or dogged determination. The surest source of inspiration is the Word of God. From the inspired Scriptures come the teaching of Christ and his doctrine. From them also come the wisdom to prove each other’s spirits. And finally, from this source comes the knowledge of how to live godly lives; it is our instruction in righteousness.

The Scripture is given for a distinct purpose. As believers, we can be complete and proficient, a state we attain through the blood of Christ and his mercy. With the aid of the Word, we can live life well-fitted and equipped to do the will of God.

Practical Truths for Today

We sense the peril of our day as the moral compass of the world swings further from truth. The set of long-held values and ethics once considered pillars of society are being undermined and threaten to fall, yet the Christian is called to live faithfully with joy and purpose. We take comfort that “the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him” (2 Chron. 16:9).

What are some requirements to being faithful? First, we must be born again. This places the power of God within us, giving us vision and the strength to “fight the good fight of faith” and to “lay hold on eternal life” (1 Tim. 6:12). Included in this transformation is a renewed mind; our commitment is made, and our goal clarifies. No longer are we fighting a defensive battle but are living with the Spirit and power of God in our lives as our source of daily strength.

Secondly, to grow and remain healthy, it is of utmost importance to furnish ourselves with godly essentials. A newborn instinctively cries out when hungry, doing so many times a day. We, too, will find strength in prayer as we reach out to our heavenly Father. Time spent in prayer is never wasted, for “prayer is the Christian’s vital breath.” 1 We breathe to live naturally, and we pray to live spiritually. Jesus said, “I am the bread of life” (John 6:35). Reading the Bible and other sound spiritual literature must be part of the Christian’s diet. This will require dedication and self-denial. The busyness of life can make it challenging to spend time in God’s Word, but as we bank spiritual knowledge and inspiration, we will have what we need to succeed in our daily life.

Church attendance and Sunday school are an invaluable source of inspiration. As personal convictions and impressions are shared, the Holy Spirit will help us build a strong bulwark against the winds of temptations that buffet us. Those around us who observe our lives are often best able to sense the strength of our commitment and the dedication that we have for our Savior. In this way, we can lean on each other for support in the battles of life. It is true that “if you stand alone, you stand to lose.” 2 To be faithful will require living a self-denied life (Matt. 16:24). Self-denial of itself has no saving value. However, self-denial needs to be in clear evidence in the life of every born-again Christian and must begin with our thoughts. This is a sure indicator of spiritual health and vitality. From a pure heart and mind will come gracious words and actions. Conversely, bearing ungodly fruit indicates that the inner man needs to be re-examined. It is of utmost importance that we are not only separate from the world but separated unto God to live a holy life.

As we observe the sin and deceitful spirits so prevalent in the world, we should be inspired to teach others about the ways of God. Our first responsibility should be to our families and those whom we are closely associated with. However, the world is a vast field that is “white already to harvest” (John 4:35). As we give our lives for others, God renews our spirit and gives us courage for our own spiritual battles.

Finally, we need a clear vision of our final goal. The gates of heaven will swing open for all who are redeemed, but the invitation to be saved stands for all people of all times. The faithful have always lived their lives with purpose. With conviction, they have laid aside the weight of selfish living, together with their besetting sins, and with patient determination have vowed to keep a steady course (Heb. 12:1). We can be faithful! The promises of God’s Word are for us today, and his power to fulfill them is undiminished. Let us “endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (2 Tim. 2:3), and we will “receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away” (1 Pet. 5:4).

Questions

1. How do we know we are living in perilous times? If we are, what should our response be?
2. We are warned about the spirit of complacency. How are we to maintain constant, daily vigilance?
3. We need a bulwark against the evils of our day. Is this more needful for our youth or for all ages alike?
4. 1 James Montgomery (1771-1854), “Prayer Is the Soul’s Sincere Desire,” Christian Hymnal
5. 2 Gordon Jensen, “If You Stand Alone, You Stand to Lose,” Lights of Home

Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).