提摩太后书［第二章］ 【活出真理，忠心牧养】
Book of 2 Timothy 2
文章下载 ｜ Article Download
提摩太后书［第二章］|Book of 2 Timothy 2
31/05/2024
一、刚强的精兵 （V1-13）
保罗鼓励提摩太在面对环境的逼迫时，要在耶稣基督的恩典中刚强起来。那时，在亚细亚有许多人因为惧怕罗马政府的暴力对待而选择离弃了保罗，不敢为真理发声，也不敢为保罗辩护。然而，保罗提醒提摩太，若要成为基督的精兵，就要在许多见证人面前听从保罗的教导，并将这些教导交托给那些忠心且能教导别人的人。士兵在战场上往往是单独作战，他们的胜败也只能由自己承担。当他们的一生结束，他们的事奉也随之停止。但精兵却不一样，他们不仅自己作战，还会训练更多像他们一样的人。
战争越是持久，像他们的人便会越多。即使这一代的精兵过去了，下一代的人仍会接续他们的事奉。因此，面对时代的巨变，保罗要我们成为精兵，成为可以传承并训练他人的人。不仅如此，精兵还能够抵挡苦难，专心致志、按规矩行事，并殷勤作工。他们会得到神的供应，所以我们一定要成为能够影响他人的人。
二、无愧的工人（V14-23）
作无愧的工人，就是要按着正意分解真理的道。当我们传讲神的话语和分解真理时，要警惕不要掺杂自己的思想。因为这样可能会导致我们按自己的意思去理解经文。很多时候，在查经时，我们会不自觉地将个人的意思读进经文中，这是无愧的工人所面临的挑战。
若要更像神，我们要远离世俗的虚谈，这些话题虽短暂，却容易转移我们的注意力。如果我们心中追求的是世界，那么在读经时也会不自觉地带入这些世俗的想法。因此，读经时要留心，不要带着个人目的，因为这不是按正意分解真理的道。
我们应当纯洁心灵，专注于神的旨意，摒弃杂念，才能真正理解和传扬神的真理。这样，才能成为真正无愧的工人，成为神的忠实仆人，带领更多人走向真理的光明大道。
三、温和的仆人 （V24-26）
面对控告和敌挡我们的人，我们要活出圣灵果子的属性。我们不需要挖破脸皮与他们争辩或对立，只需温和地劝戒。这世上的人，当他们责怪我们时，声音可能非常大，但只要我们坚信自己的正确性，温和地表达看法、劝导他人即可。如果别人不愿听，我们便安静下来。
坚持温柔和忍耐，是我们回应世界责难的最佳方式。温柔劝戒不仅能彰显我们的内在力量，也能展现基督徒的风范。无论外界如何喧嚣，我们只需心怀正直，按着圣灵的指引行事，便能在纷乱中保持平静，成为真正的和平之子。
总结：活出真理，忠心牧养，传承基督的生命。
2 Timothy Chapter 2: Living Out the Truth, Shepherding Faithfully
GK611 Morning Devotion
31 May 2024
The Morning Devotion Speaker: IP Asher Chang
1. A Strong and Refined Soldier (V1-13)
Paul encouraged Timothy to be strong in the grace of Jesus Christ in the face of the persecution of his circumstances. At that time, there were many in Asia who chose to forsake Paul out of fear of the violent treatment of the Roman government, not daring to speak out for the truth or to defend Paul. Paul reminded Timothy, however, that if he was to be a good soldier of Christ, he had to listen to Paul’s teachings in the presence of many witnesses, and entrust them to those who were faithful and able to teach others. Soldiers often fight alone on the battlefield, and they are responsible for their own victories and defeats. When their life is over, their ministry ceases. But not so with elite soldiers, who not only fight on their own, but also train more people like them.
The longer the war lasts, the more people like them there will be. Even if the elite soldiers of this generation pass away, the next generation will continue their ministry. Therefore, in the face of the great changes of the times, Paul wants us to become elite soldiers, people who can pass on and train others. Not only that, but the elite soldiers will be able to withstand suffering, be focused, disciplined, and diligent in their work. They will be provided for by God, so we must become people who can influence others.
2. Blameless Workers (V14-23)
To be a blameless worker is to break down the Word of truth in accordance with right intention. When we preach the Word of God and break down the truth, we must be vigilant not to mix in our own thoughts. For this may lead us to interpret the Scriptures according to our own understanding. Often times, during Bible studies, we unconsciously using our own understanding to read the Scriptures, which is the challenge of the blameless worker.
If we are to be more like God, we need to stay away from the vain talk of the world, which is fleeting but tends to divert our attention. If we seek the world in our hearts, we will unconsciously bring these worldly thoughts into our Bible reading. Therefore, it is important to be careful not to read the Bible with a personal agenda, for this is not breaking down the Word of Truth in the right way.
We should purify our hearts, focus on God’s will, and discard distracting thoughts in order to truly understand and preach God’s truth. In this way, we can become truly blameless workers and faithful servants of God, leading more people to the bright path of truth.
3. The Gentle Servant (V24-26)
We are to live out the attributes of the fruit of the Spirit in the face of accusers and those who are hostile to us. We do not need to dig in and argue or confront them, but only exhort gently. The people of this world can be very loud when they rebuke us, but as long as we are convinced of our own rightness, we can gently express our views and exhort others. If others do not want to listen, we are quiet.
Insisting on gentleness and patience is the best way for us to respond to the world's reproaches. Gentleness in exhortation not only reveals our inner strength, but also demonstrates Christian demeanor. No matter how noisy the outside world may be, we can remain calm in the midst of chaos and become true sons of peace if we are upright in heart and act according to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Conclusion: Live out the truth, shepherding faithfully, and pass on the life of Christ
录音在线播发 | Online audio player
