Don’t Grow Weary
A study of 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Do not grow weary, as a Christian in today’s society not growing weary to do good is almost impossible. With more and more laws coming out that go against the moral values of the bible that is Gods spoken Word, to the point of prison time in some places for speaking out against moral values that are counter to the Word.
Why is it that Christians hold the bible (Gods Word) in such hi standard for moral values? The answer is rather simple, its Gods word to us, it was written by men who wear directed by God, inspired by God. It is the Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth (BIBLE)
2 Timothy 3:16-17English Standard Version (ESV)
16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
Let’s take a deeper look at this 2 Timothy passage
All Scripture is breathed out by God: The word for breathed in the Stongs concordance is Strong's G2315 – theopneustos it means inspired. The bible wasn’t just written by some men just writing a story it was written by the inspiration of God they wear directed by God on what to write. You can see this in how the books of the bible support each other. I’ve been saying for a long time, the best commentary on the bible is the bible its self. The only way this happens is by the one who inspired the 1st book written also inspired the last book written. From the first book to the last, they were written century’s apart. And yet the message remained the same. This can only happen because there was only one author of the bible and that was God. As Timothy say’s “All Scripture is breathed out by God” not just a part, ALL.
Profitable: Strong's G5624 – ōphelimos This comes from the root word Strong's G3786 – ophelos This word means advantage, profit. God’s word gives us and advantage on how to teach, the message of redemption for all who chose it through out scripture From Genesis to Revelations. From God walking with mankind in the garden Gen 3:8 And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. To Gods restoration with mankind in Rev 21:3. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. The scripture message is consistent, there is a pathway to reconciliation with God, redemption through Jesus the Christ the redeemer. God’s word profits us and all who choose the believe and receive knowing his word is to our advantage to teach or share his word, to grow one’s own relationship with God. Teach and share are basically the same thing. The bible will not lead you in the wrong direction toward reconciliation with God.
Reproof: Strong's G6031 – elegmos: correction, reproof, scripture can help us show were someone’s thinking or belief is wrong and will help in correcting that false belief or incorrect understanding. There are many Christian self-help books and teachings out there, that without Gods word in hand to validate and reproof the teachings. A Christian can and probably will be miss lead. There are many so called “Christian “self-help books out there they say they are bible based and even give scripture reference for their statements. I would caution when reading such material use God’s word for re-proof of what’s being said. There are some great authors out there and some that aren’t, some great preachers and some that aren’t. Even as I write this you need to have Gods word in hand to verify what I say. I’m not above scrutiny from my peers. Because there is only one who inspired the scriptures, it is consistent though out it and will not miss lead you to a current and eternal relationship with God thru his son Jesus the Christ.
Correction: Strong's G1882 – epanorthōsis: Correction is like reproof, reproof deals with teachings of scripture. This word Correction deals with character, Gods word speaks of our new character, who we are in Christ. When you come to Christ, and chose to except his redemption for you, your old man, old self, old nature, your old character is crucified so that sin may not prevail in you. (Romans 6:6 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. ) (Colossians 3: 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.) Are old character has been crucified and is being renewed in the image of the creator, that is Christ. We are surrounded by the residual effects of sin in our flesh, our fleshly desire at times seem to impose its desires on us and we fail. We are constantly battling the effects of sin on us. The desires of the flesh at times can seem to be overwhelming. Enter Gods word it is useful in CORRECTION bringing our character back in line with who we are in Christ. When our character is in failure and you know it and others know it we need to be corrected Galatians tells us to restore those in transgression with gentleness and to bear another’s burdens (Galatians 6: 6 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. 2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.) This is done thru scripture and prayer.
Personnel thought’s here notice in Gal:6 it say’s “if ANYONE is caught in ANY transgression” that includes the leadership of the church not just those who attend it, goes from the pastor to the elders, deacons, teachers, and the those who come to worship. For hypothetical example, an elder berates you out in public, there are procedures in God’s word on how to deal with this. Matthew 18:15-20 deals with sin against a brother or sister in Christ and I believe this also applies to anyone where the elder berates them. The elder’s Character in Christ now is in decline. Follow the guidelines in scripture to restore his character. Just because it’s an elder doesn’t mean you as someone lower on the authority pole can’t approach him to correct him as instructed in Matt 18:15-20. If this would happen more often I think the church would be stronger. My second thought “bear one another’s burdens” this is another practice that I don’t think happens much. Why? Trust issues and don’t want to look weak. We as Christians need to practice this more we need to humble ourselves and admit the need for assistance . The church body you’re in should be one of the safest places in the world for you to share your burdens. I’ve had relationships with pastors in the past that have shared things with me, and I share with them that wouldn’t be said to others. Trust issues would be my main thought as to why that was. If you can’t share your burdens with your brother or sister, or listen to their burdens without gossiping about it, then you need to check your character, are you of worldly character or Christ like character. For me what’s shared with me stays with me unless I’m given permission to share it. Yes I’m reluctant to share with some for I see what they are like outside of the church influence. If I can see that then how much more of an issue is it for those who see and say they are as worldly as me. I need to practice this more. I’m fortunate that I have 5 people I’m comfortable sharing with. My wife, 3 pastor friends and one friend. Everyone should have 1or 2 people they can share their burdens with. The church was never meant to be a church of 1 but a church of many. We all hurt when one hurts. We are all part of the body of Christ and that is the church.
1Co 12:12For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.
Training: Strong's G3809 – paideia: Gods Word trains us how to live righteous, godly lives.
(1 Timothy 4: 6 If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed.7 Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; 8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.) Gods Word the scriptures are useful in training in righteousness why? As mentioned above its GODS WORD it doesn’t contain Gods word’s it is GOD’S WORD. It will not miss lead into righteousness.
Within scripture there are commandments given or maybe you can call them guidelines (if the word commandments scare’s you) on how to live a righteous life for God here are a few verses on righteousness.
Gen 15:6
And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness.
“Abraham believed the Lord” believed is an action word (verb) he trusted the Lord. Part of living righteousness is believing or trusting in the Lord. Many say they believe but have no trust, the demons believe and shudder (Jas 2:19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!) do you believe and with that belief there is trust.
Deu 6:25
And it will be righteousness for us, if we are careful to do all this commandment before the LORD our God, as he has commanded us.'
Luk 1:6
And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord.
In Duet This is Moses speaking to the People of Israel after the exodus from Egypt. In Chapter 5 God had Given Moses the guidelines on how to live in righteousness known as the 10 Commandments. (Not Suggestions) By following these 10 commandments it would be counted as righteous for them.
In Luke its speaking of the priest Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth they walked blamelessly in the commandments and statutes of the Lord. They were righteous because of their obedience.
Rom 3:22
the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction:
The righteousness that comes from God is for all who believe in Jesus The Christ. Notice it say’s for ALL.
My opinion:
{I dislike denominationalism there are some probably quite a few when asked their faith they will say their denomination before saying their Christian. Righteousness doesn’t come through denominations it comes through belief in God, faith in Christ and following Gods commands. (speaking of his moral commands)}
This verse isn’t about denominationalism I don’t think back then there were different denominations when it comes to the Christian Faith, but it is talking about mankind. It didn’t matter what your bent in life was prior to Faith in Christ. Christ came to save the world.
Jhn 3:17
“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
Red, yellow, Black or white, fat, thin, tall, short, male, female, righteousness of God come’s through faith in Christ for all who believe.
My opinion: Rabbit Trail
{Some will take the last part of this verse “for all who believe” and another verse “whoever call on the name of the Lord will be saved” and say I have salvation, I don’t have to do anything else to have salvation. And all though yes that is true. Is that all there is to the Christian life?
Mat 5:16
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
My commentary: How do you let your light shine before others? Works! Works aren’t earning your salvation it’s shining your salvation
Eph 2:8-10
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
My commentary: For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; See you can’t earn salvation as it is a free gift from God. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus. For what? To do the good works that have been prepared beforehand. Whaaat? We are being created in the knowledge of our creator (Col 3:10) Christ Jesus. To walk in the work that have been set before us.
Just a little Greek the word for walk is peripateō:
It’s a verb= action
Meaning: to make one's way, progress; to make due use of opportunities
What’s this mean to a Christian? Very simple, salvation is a free gift we can’t earn it. Yet at the time of being born again your life as a Christian is Just beginning we are to grow in righteousness and do the deeds that have been set before us commonly called WORKS!
Jas 2:14
What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?
My commentary: That’s an answer that can’t be answered without looking at other verses but as mentioned above when we come to faith there are works to be done that are designated by Christ for us to do.
Jas 2:18
But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
My commentary: Faith without works is not visible there is no evidence to show that you have faith. If a person say’s they are a criminal and yet there is no evidence of criminal activity then are they a criminal? You should be able to see someone’s faith by the evidence produced through their works. (Actions)
Jas 2:26
For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.
My commentary: When the body doesn’t have a spirit, it is dead or as the NLT puts it if the body doesn’t have breath it is dead. A mere confession without works is dead. Here’s what Matthew Henry has to say.
“ These words are read differently; some reading them, As the body without the breath is dead, so is faith without works: and then they show that works are the companions of faith, as breathing is of life. Others read them, As the body without the soul is dead, so faith without works is dead also: and then they show that as the body has no action, when the soul is gone, so a bare profession without works is useless. The best works, without faith, are dead; they want their root and principle. It is by faith that anything we do is really good, as done with an eye to God, in obedience to him, and so as to aim principally at his acceptance. The most plausible profession of faith, without works, is dead: as the root is dead when it produces nothing green, nothing of fruit. Faith is the root, good works are the fruits, and we must see to it that we have both. We must not think that either, without the other, will justify and save us. This is the grace of God wherein we stand, and we should stand to it.
Jas 1:22-24
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.
My commentary: Be doers of the word what does that mean? Be a participant in the word. When all you are is a hearer, a Sunday Christian you are deceiving yourself. When you go to church and that is the mirror you are one person a Christian but once you leave and stop looking in the mirror you forget who you are. Not saying a Sunday Christian can’t be a hearer going in and hear the word and leave a doer. The real issue is Calling on the name of the Lord will save you and begin that faith journey, being a doer will grow it and show evidence of faith. Without evidence you need to evaluate if you truly have faith. Again, you can’t earn salvation but you can surly get greater reward in the Judgment.
Rev 20:12
And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. By what they have done I believe these are those who had faith and their actions, works, evidence on what they have done to further the message of Christ. Notice I didn’t say sins. Why you might ask? Because sins are already forgiven, they are blotted out God remembers them NO MORE. (See: Isa 44:22, Act 3:19) your rewards will depend on what you have done. Rev 20 13-15 speak of those in death and hades being judged for what they have done(sins) and cast into the lake of fire(Hell)
I’m going to with this faith equation I call it James Faith Equation.
Faith Equation
Works=Action=Evidence=Faith
No Works=No Action=No Evidence=No Faith
Rabbit Trail End
So how does this rabbit trail tie into training by doing works that come because of faith you are being trained in righteousness. Remember works are set before every Christian to do not only to bring glory to God but to train every Christian.
2Ti 3:17
that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
Training in righteousness for every man (word means Male or Female) will be complete, thoroughly, prepared, adequate, capable, fitted, have the tools necessary to be equipped to do the good WORKS that have been set before you.
WEARY
Gal 6:9
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
How does a person grow weary? If I may make a few observations. Their prayer life is inconsistent, their study of God’s word is inconsistent. Their hope is not in the Lord
Isa 40:31
but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.
Jos 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Isa tells us to wait on the Lord or can be said hope on the Lord he will renew our strength. Joshua tells us not to be discouraged the Lord is with us everywhere we go. God isn’t with us just one day of the week he is with us always. Be consistent in your study of God’s word, be consistent in prayer, keep your hope on the Lord and not on yourself, be strong and courageous for the Lord is with you everywhere.
DILIGENCE
Heb 6:11-12
And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end,12 so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Be earnestness to show your full assurance of hope, or as pastor said be DILIGENT. Be intentional in showing your hope. Don’t be lackadaisical in your hope but be like those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. The adoption as sons. We don’t have a spirit of fear that prevents us from being intentional but we have a spirit of adoption as sons and cry out Abba Father or as I might put it in a russaphrase “DADDY DADDY”
HOLDFAST
Heb 10:24-25
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Stir up one another and encourage one another are to ways of saying the same thing. Be strong continue to come together, hold fast to what you have been taught don’t let worldly thoughts influence you, be of one accord, of the same mind. For we are of one body, one spirit, and one mind. Holdfast to each other as this world tries to destroy the church making laws that are against Christianity . I’ll end with this don’t be a WOE
