https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1AVNE_enUS663US669&biw=1366&bih=637&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=paul+writing+to+timothy&oq=paul+writing+to+timothy&gs_l=psy-ab.3...46012.49759.0.49973.23.23.0.0.0.0.155.1668.21j2.23.0....0...1.1.64.psy-ab..0.17.1310...0j0i67k1j0i8i30k1j0i24k1.0.xkhL70c504c#imgrc=wFhS03F3Ec3zMM: The following is a letter. The words have been taken from the writings of St. Paul and they are addressed to you! Yes, I'm talking to you! Things are crazy right now in the world. There are hurricanes, earthquakes, and other natural disasters. We hear of terrorism, political unrest, and now of this terrible shooting that occurred in Las Vegas this week. Then, in our own government, cities, schools, works, and churches, things are also crazy! What in the world do we do? How should we react to such things? Well, take a look at this letter addressed to you. The following are excerpts from letters that St. Paul wrote to different people and churches in the 1st century (early Christian Church). And if you think that God doesn't speak through a man, St. Paul says, "All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching" (2 Tm 3:16). Each word in the following letter is directly from the Bible--specifically St. Paul's letters as found in the New Testament. Know that I've rearranged the order of the verses and have taken some main points and condensed them into a shorter form as most of us don't have time to read all of Paul's letters in one setting! Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God for the promise of life in Christ (Tm 1:1) to... My Dear Child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord (Tm 1:2). I give thanks to my God at every remembrance of you, praying always with joy in my every prayer for all of you (Phil 1:1). God is faithful, and by him you were called to fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord (Cor 1:9) I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God that you have (2 Tm 1:6). Bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God (2 Tm 1:8). For the grace of God has appeared, saving all and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age, as we await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of the great God and of our savior Jesus Christ (Ti 2:11-13). You had suffered and been insolently treated (1 Thes 2;2). If you died with Christ to the elemental powers of the world, why do you submit to regulations as if you were still living in the world (Col 2:20)? The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God (1 Cor 1:18). Understand this: there will be terrifying times in the last days. People will be self-centered and lovers of money, proud, haughty, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, irreligious, callous, implacable, slanderous, licentious, brutal, hating what is good, traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, as they make a pretense of religion but deny its power (2 Tm 3:1-5). I ask, then, has God rejected his people? Of course not! (Rom 11:1) So you, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus (2 Tm 2:1). Bear with everything for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, together with eternal glory...This saying is trustworthy: If we have died with him we shall also live with him; if we persevere we shall also reign with him. But if we deny him he will deny us. If we are unfaithful he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself (2 Tm 2:10-13), You have followed my teaching, way of life, purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, and sufferings (2 Tm 3:10-11). But you, remain faithful to what you have learned and believed (2 Tm 3:14). The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Gal 5:22). Be filled with the Spirit...giving thanks always and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father (Eph 5:18-20). May the God of peace himself make you perfectly holy and may you entirely, spirit, soul, and body, be preserved blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will also accomplish it (1 Thes 5:23-24). The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with all of you (2 Tm 4:22), Paul Dear old St. Paul here encourages us! He acknowledges our suffering and does not deny the evil in the world. Yet, he tells us what to do and how to act. Amidst this worldly chaos, we are to trust in God. We are to remain peaceful, patient, and hopeful. For we have the Spirit of our Lord and God, Jesus Christ who has conquered suffering and death. Yes, in the world we have trouble, but take courage! Jesus has conquered the world (See John 16:33).
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AuthorJacqueline St. Clare: I spent six months in a cloistered convent, and now I'm a college student! Archives
April 2021
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