2019.02.02 Hopewell @Home ▫ 2 Timothy 2:19

Read 2 Timothy 2:19

Questions for Littles: How firm is the foundation described in this verse? Whose foundation is it? What has God given it / put on it to confirm that it is true? Of what does this seal consist? Whose knowledge is referred to by the first saying of this “seal”? What does the Lord know? Whose activity is described in the second saying of this “seal”? What do those who name the name of the Lord do?

In the Scripture for tomorrow’s sermon, we learn what it is that makes the difference for those whose “faith” is not overthrown by the lies taught by heretics. Hymenaeus and Philetus were teaching falsehood (vv17-18), and there were many such false teachers (v16), but Timothy was to be concerned primarily with what God thought of his ministry (v15a), and to focus upon explaining the Scriptures correctly.

Why is it that a minister must be concerned primarily with what God thinks of his ministry, and focus upon explaining the Scriptures correctly? Because these are the means of the preservation of believers that God Himself has appointed, and their safety belongs to God Himself.

After all, v19 tells us, “the solid foundation of God stands.” Now, this can mean that the solid foundation is something that comes from God. Even more so, as we look at our verse, the Holy Spirit is telling us that the foundation of true believers is God Himself. For, they came to be believers because God has chosen them. This is the first part of the seal that marks them out as His: “The Lord knows those who are His.”

You see, while it has become common to think of salvation as coming by our knowing the Lord, the Scripture emphasis is actually much more upon how salvation comes by the Lord’s knowing us. He initiates. He plans. He atones. He revives. He justifies. He sanctifies. He preserves. He saves.

This is the great difference: the Lord Himself. Are we sinful? Yes of course! That is why the second part of the seal—the part that shows the first part—is that we are departing from sin, that we are doing battle against it. We do so not in order to become the Lord’s, but because we already belong to Him.

There are many that name the name of Christ. If you are doing this devotional, you are probably one of them. But are you departing from iniquity? And are you doing so because you belong to Him, and because you know that this is His plan for you and His power at work in you? Salvation belongs to the Lord, and He will preserve all who are His!

Who determined that you would be saved? How is He doing it? Why is this certain? 

Suggested Songs: ARP130 “Lord, From the Depths” or TPH130A “Lord, from the Depths to You I Cry!”