By it we are thoroughly furnished for every good work. They will maintain the outward form of religion, but they will deny its power. It follows from this: (1) That they who make a profession of religion, should come prepared to be persecuted. He is the man whom God resists, for it is repeatedly said in scripture, that God receives the humble but resists the man who is proud, huperephanos ( G5244) ( James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5; Proverbs 3:24). Regardless of the persecution, it is our duty to live in such a way that the world will know that we are Christians. i. At first these magicians were able to match the wonders which Moses and Aaron did, but in the end they were defeated and discredited. Men will be without human affection (astorgos, G794) . Why not baptize at once every soul around? The moment a man makes his own will the centre of life, divine and human relationships are destroyed, obedience to God and charity to men both become impossible. "He read on, forgetful of time, through the hours of the night, and just as the dawn was breaking, he stood up and declared, 'I believe'.". But let him not infer, therefore, that he is to be enrolled among the martyrs, and that he is certainly a real Christian. They should remember that, in this respect, they are treated as the Master was, and are in the goodly company of the prophets, apostles, and martyrs; for they were all persecuted. For that very reason it is unanswerable that, whatever a man might argue about the rest of the Bible, it is impossible for the Church ever to do without the Gospels. What am I to believe about angels or the future? It is still possible for a teacher to gain an undue and unhealthy influence over others, especially when they are impressionable. Those who deceive others do but deceive themselves; those who draw others into error run themselves into more and more mistakes, and they will find it so at last, to their cost. This is a further reason why Timothy should endure hardship and not turn aside from the work God has given him (3-5). Questions are before him more serious than a maintenance of order. In either case the word describes a certain harshness of mind which separates a man from his fellow-men in unrelenting bitterness. But, says the apostle, "be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus." Now, it is doubtless as true as it ever was, that a man who will live as the Saviour did, will, like him, be subjected to some such injury or disadvantage. Just to go line upon line, precept upon precept, plodding right straight through the word of God. Even if we look at Him so, He was raised from the dead. So from his earliest childhood Timothy had known the sacred writings. And the word of God comes and it brings a balance, it brings a correction, it brings a correct perspective.It's profitable. shall suffer persecution; it is the will of God, and the appointment of heaven; Christ has foretold it, that so it shall be; and he the head has suffered it himself, and it is necessary that his members should, that they may be conformed unto him; it is the way Christ himself went to glory, and through many tribulations his people must enter the kingdom; and this is the common lot and certain case of all the saints, in one shape or another; for though all do not suffer confiscation of goods, beating, scourging, imprisonment, or a violent death; yet all are more or less afflicted and distressed by wicked men, and are subject to their reproaches and revilings, which are a branch of persecution; and that for professing Christ, and living a godly life in him and under his influence: and since such suffer as Christians, and not as evildoers; and this is the common condition of the people of God, in this world, it should not be thought strange, but be cheerfully endured; to encourage to which is the apostle's view in this passage.
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