Heavenly Help For Hard Times (Victorious Living In A Vicious World) Series

If my life is defined by the list in verses 1-9 of 2 Tim. 3, I need to ask an important question: Where is the power of godliness in me? Does it sound boastful for me to say that I have been set free from sin and am walking in the victory of Christ Jesus? I no longer walk in sinful ways and live under sins dominion in my life. I have been set free by walking in Jesus footsteps and abiding in his word. He has made known to me the truth and the truth has set me free! Does that sound boastful?

We want to be humble so we confess that we are sinners. But I tell you that we need to be bold and confess that Jesus Christ has set us free from sin and that we are no longer walking in darkness, and that we have been redeemed from the empty way of life. We may indeed fall from time to time, but we are not chained in the bondage of Satan. God has granted us repentance!

What I am suggesting here is that we begin to live victorious lives and say so! We make not claims to this coming from ourselves! Our claim to victory centers on God’s power poured out in grace from the cross. But it is a claim to a powerful godliness that is more than just a form!

Look at Paul’s life:

10But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, 11persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 13But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Paul freely admitted that he was a sinner, but he clearly claimed the power of God for victorious living in Christ! His life is an example for us. He told Timothy to be an example for others too. We are to do the same!

Can you say with Paul, “You know of my way of life, what I’ve endured for Christ 10But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, 11persecutions, afflictions… You learned from my life, but more than that, you learned from the Holy Scriptures how to walk complete and thoroughly equipped for every good work!

What kind of book did God inspire for you? What will it do for your life? What kind of life did Jesus die on the cross to give you? Have you accepted the life he offers?

Jesus Christ didn’t go to the cross to build mediocre powerless wimps. Jesus died to build a church that overwhelms the gates of hell. Paul is telling Timothy not to lose heart in the midst of opponents who offer a cheaper product but one without any power.