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Daily Devotionals
Day by Day Devotional - Year 5 of 5
2 Timothy 2:14-26
When everything is going well, when the work is prospering, the workman has no reason to be ashamed before men (see 2 Timothy 1:8; 2 Timothy 1:12; 2 Timothy 1:16). In contrast when the testimony is in ruins, it is difficult to escape this sense of shame. But what does the world’s contempt matter if we are approved by God (v. 15). This chapter marks out for us that line of conduct which allows us to be sure of this approval in every circumstance. In the place where unbelief and corruption reign, the faithful Christian separates himself As to his relationship with individuals, he purifies himself; as to covetous desires, he flees them; as to good, he pursues it; with believers, he seeks them out, joins himself to them, and worships God with them. In practice, these vv. 19-22 have led dear children of God to withdraw themselves from the different religious systems of Christendom and gather simply around the Lord for worship.
We have already heard "flee" and "follow after" in 1 Timothy 6:11. May the Lord engrave this v. 22 in the heart of every young believer. However, let us not forget that as we must have firmness regarding the truth and its principles, regarding people we need to show to the same extent tolerance and gentleness (vv. 24, 25; Ephesians 4:2).
