Wednesday 7th February
Read 2 Timothy 3:14-15
“But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” (NIVUK)
There are always new ideas about God and Jesus that will seek to persuade you to walk on the wider, comfortable path. But Timothy is challenged to walk the narrow way. Some may confuse Paul’s words for boasting when he describes what the narrow way looks like, for he literally narrows it down to two things, one of which is rather surprising.
First, he narrows it down to him! The translation we use has an alternate reading of ‘those from whom you learned it’ (v14), (which would include Lois and Eunice), but, along with John Stott, I lean towards Paul referring to himself (cf 1 Corinthians 11:1).He urges Timothy to continue in what he has learned and is convinced of because he knows Paul, the one ‘from whom you learned it’… If one thinks about it, this is a rather astounding instruction.
Innumerable books are written about studying the gospels to learn who Jesus is and what He was like, in order to follow, serve and obey Him fully. A whole movement arose in the US around the simple question ‘What would Jesus do?’. If I understand this correctly, Paul is asking Timothy to cleave close to a different question – ‘What would Paul do?’. Many people may blanch at that question.
The second source of truth is the Old Testament itself, problematic for many in itself. Yet this is the regular and constant message of Christianity. The faith is founded upon the witness of the Old Testament and the New, namely the apostles (like Paul). New ideas may come and go, but if they swerve away from the Old and New Testaments they are to be avoided diligently. The only way to know if they do is to steep oneself in the Scriptures. To know Jesus, and Paul, and John and Peter through their words and lives and know that your faith is on a secure foundation. Can you ask the question ‘What would Paul do?’
