2 Timothy 2

We must be strong in the grace given to us in Christ Jesus. The world would love to put you into submission to their ways…..do not let them! If we do not give up, even in the midst of hardships, we will succeed. The power of the Holy Spirit
will transform us
into the image of His Son.
He will teach us, guide us and refine us like precious metal. He will change us
into willing vessels to carry out His work. If we do not give up, and do not stray from the truth of the Gospel of Grace, we will spend an eternity in His presence.
Satan uses the little foxes of strife, jealousy and envy to cause division among the Church. We, all who profess the Birth, Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, are the Body of Christ. We have to stop quarreling over doctrine and get down to living in the power and Unity of the Holy Spirit!

2 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 3 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. 5 And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops. 7 Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things.

8 Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel, 9 for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained. 10 Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

11 This is a faithful saying:

For if we died with Him,

We shall also live with Him.

12 If we endure,

We shall also reign with Him.

If we deny Him,

He also will deny us.

13 If we are faithless,

He remains faithful;

He cannot deny Himself.

14 Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. 17 And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, 18 who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity."

20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. 21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter,
he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. 22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. 24 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 26 and that they may come to their senses
and escape the snare of the devil,
having been taken captive by him to do his will.

The NKJV Study Bible says this: In light of the defections of others , Paul exhorts Timothy to be faithful. But Paul's call is for Timothy to be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. The emphasis is on the strength of Christ, not on Timothy's own power. If we trust in ourselves, we are doomed to fail. Timothy is commanded to commit Paul's teaching to faithful men. Faithful men then have the responsibility of teaching others. Paul is saying that spiritual activity must be conducted within the directives of biblical faith and doctrine. To defect from true doctrine
is to lose our reward. Timothy is commanded to remember Christ's resurrection. The seed of David emphasizes Jesus' humanity and the fact that He would fulfill all the promises God had given to David. Raised from the dead emphasizes that our Savior lives today seated at the right hand of God the Father. We must not hide the gospel, but instead let it go forth unchained in spite of our own limitations. Believers are united with Christ in His death and resurrection, which become our death to sin and our resurrection to eternal life. Persevering in the faith even in the face of hardship or persecution will result in a reward when Christ returns. Even when believers fail the Savior, He remains loyal. Christ's relationship with Peter is a great example of God's faithfulness. What is approved is what remains after testing, like metals that have been refined by fire. Paul encouraged Timothy to handle the word of truth in a straight way, like a road that goes straight to its goal, without being turned aside by useless debates. In spite of the unfaithful actions of some, the solid foundation of God stands. The Lord knows those who are His. Our sure relationship with our Father in heaven should motivate us to a life of purity. Master is a strong term for God's authority over the lives of believers regardless of their level of spiritual maturity. We choose to serve the Lord in the power of the Holy Spirit in order to be useful to our Master. The Lord's servant must not battle with words, but instead must be gentle and kind to all. The aim of correction is repentance, or a "change of thinking." Paul exhorts Timothy to persevere in correcting his opponents because it is imperative that they should know the truth, even though they might oppose the truth at present with their false teachings about the resurrection. One of Satan's tactics is to cause divisions in the church.