- We deny Christ, He will deny us: (2:12b): It is a strong warning to those who deny Christ. Some people ignorantly deny and some knowingly deny Him. It is very clear warning that “whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven” (Matt.10:33). Many Christian cults deny the Lord Jesus deliberately. Catholics deny to give first priority to Jesus. Non-Christians and other faiths deny Jesus. Many carnal Christians put their priorities on other things instead of the Lord Jesus Christ. Their end would be same as that they would be denied before the Father.
- If we are faithful, He will remain faithful to us: (2:13): As believers we must keep our allegiance to Him and give the first place to Christ. Yet if one does fall away, it does not change God’s nature. He remains faithful.
The great missionary, J. Hudson Taylor, often said, “It is not by trying to be faithful, but in looking to the Faithful One, that we win the victory.”
“Our faithlessness cannot in any way detract from the Son of God and His Glory. Being all sufficient in Himself He has no need of our confession. It is as if he had said, ‘Let all who will desert Christ, for they deprive him of nothing; when they perish, He remains unchanged.'” (Calvin)
Many times we waver in our faith and fall down. But God is faithful. He would give every opportunity and the Holy Spirit speaks to us, bring us to senses. Just like a prodigal son God gives every opportunity to come back to Father with repentance.
Responsibilities of an overseer or Pastor: (14-26):
After reminding Timothy of his own responsibilities, Paul now urges Timothy to continue to remind the believers their attitude and conviction in the church.
Remind people of great spiritual truths: (2:14):
Timothy must constantly remind the congregation to focus on the right things. They must not be tempted to become an entertainment centre, some sort of social gathering (now-a-days most of the churches are like this) or some mutual admiration society. Rather the church must focus on the truth of the Gospel. They should not enter into debates, arguments, quarrelling which only ruins them and others. Sometimes, we get distracted by endless discussions, strife over certain useless things, speculations etc.
An approved workman: (2:15)
Timothy must do his best as one approved unto God. He must work in order to please God, not men. All those who are eager to become as one approved unto God must do what God wants them to do. God is the judge. He guides us through the Holy Spirit, what is good or bad, right or wrong. A good worker is not ashamed when people test him and his work. Because he knows that he has done what God has asked him to do, he will stand firm. He must complete the task which God has assigned to him. Timothy had to preach the good news of Christ and teach the Word of God. He must teach the truth of God as he had learned it from the Lord and from Paul. He must not change that truth. He must not add to it or take anything away from it. A workman approved unto God correctly handles the Word, goes straight into the message. His cutting edge is the Gospel. Timothy and his men must show their mettle and remain as one approved unto God. A preacher or teacher who uses the Word correctly will build their church, but a sloppy worker will handle God’s Word deceitfully.
An approved worker diligently study the word of God to apply in his own life and in others lives. He does not waste his time arguing, because it has no profit, but brings enmity, misunderstanding.