Continue – 7.29.09

2 Timothy 3:14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

Having a great time making our way through the book of 2 Timothy in our young men's Tuesday night Bible study this summer. The book is all about enduring hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ despite the promised persecutions from without and discouraging departures from within.

Timothy was instructed to be a partaker in the afflictions of the gospel (1:8); he was reminded of the sufferings of the Apostle Paul (1:12; 2:8-10; 3:10-11); he was told that perilous times shall come (3:1); he was promised persecution (3:12); he was told of a time when believers would not endure sound doctrine (4:3); and he was warned of those who had and would depart from the faith (1:15; 2:17-18; 3:8; 4:4; 4:10).

In light of all this, the main thrust of the letter is this continual admonishment to CONTINUE – to stick with it, to keep doing right. What was right yesterday is still right today, so do right. What was right yesterday will still be right tomorrow, so keep doing right. No matter what the world does, no matter what the brethren do, no matter how it turns out, no matter what results you do or do not get, CONTINUE doing what you know is right.

Because God will keep you (1:12; 2:10; 2:19; 3:11; 4:17); because God will reward you (2:12; 2:15; 4:2; 4:8); because God won't lie to you (3:14) – CONTINUE!

This line of exhortation runs throughout the book from start to finish (1:6; 1:13; 2:1; 2:15; 4:2; 4:5). And it's a good reminder for us today. There is never any good reason, there is never any good excuse to stop doing what's right.

1 Timothy 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.