BLESSINGS FROM LIVING IN GOD'S ORDER

My Dear Precious Child, In Paul's second letter to Timothy concerning the Ephesian believers he wrote that Timothy must be strong in My grace, which is My unmerited favor, which came upon My children when they believed in Christ Jesus and His sacrifice for their sins. He told Timothy that he must put in practice all of the guidance and truth that he had heard from Paul and his associates so that those teachings will be passed on to other people also. He challenged Timothy to bear the hardships that Paul had had to bear as a good soldier of Christ. Paul even told Timothy that no good soldier becomes entangled in the matters of civilian life but instead he or she avoids them in order to please the commanding officer. Also to explain further, if a person takes part in an athletic endeavor, he cannot receive the winner's crown unless he or she observes all of the rules. As another example, Paul wrote that a hardworking farmer must reserve the first tenth of his seed to be planted in order to have another crop. Then Paul encouraged Timothy to meditate on what Paul was saying to him so that I can make the meaning clear to him. (II Timothy 2:1-7) Paul told Timothy to never forget that Christ Jesus, whose flesh was a physical descendant of David, was raised from the dead. He stressed that that is the only Gospel that Paul preached and that in preaching it he was treated like a criminal, even being put in the chains of imprisonment. HOWEVER, Paul stressed that THERE IS NO CHAINING THE WORD OF GOD! Therefore, Paul continued in his ministry for the sake of the people who were going to obtain salvation to be found only in Christ Jesus and with it My eternal glory. He quoted his own writing from his letter to the Roman believers when he wrote this: "If we have died with Him we shall also live with Him; if we hold out to the end we shall also reign with Him."(Romans 6:5; Romans 3:17) But, if you deny Him, He will also have to deny you because you have chosen to change from blessings to curses. However, if you are unfaithful he will still remain faithful, eager to allow you to repent and return, because He cannot deny His faithfulness.(II Timothy 2:8-13; Romans 3:3) In this letter to Timothy Paul was forceful in telling him to keep reminding believers of these things and to charge them before God to stop disputing about words. He told them that disputing about doctrines does no good and it can cause the lives of people who listen to be ruined. Referring to words spoken, Paul told Timothy to try hard to make himself worthy of My approval, a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, following a straight path in preaching the truth. Again he wrote to Timothy to avoid worldly, idle talk because people who indulge in it become more and more godless and the poison from their talk will spread like the plague. He told them about two men who had detached themselves from truth by teaching that the resurrection had already taken place and that they had upset the faith of some people. The foundation that I laid will always remain stable and firm, because it is labeled, "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Let every person who professes the name of the Lord abandon evil." (Ephesians 2:20; II Timothy 2:14-19) As was the habit of Paul, he used an allegory to explain his principles of truth as having been taught to him by Me. He wrote that in every household there are utensils of gold and silver to be used for guests but there are also utensils of wood and clay for common use. He wrote that the person who cleanses himself of evil things may become a distinguished vessel to be dedicated and useful for the Master and ready for every noble service. So, Paul wrote to Timothy to be sure and turn from youthful passions and instead to pursue integrity, faith, love, peace, along with others who call upon Me in purity of heart. He emphasized that they have nothing to do with senseless, ignorant arguments over doctrines but instead to be a servant who is kind toward everyone instead of being quarrelsome, an apt teacher who gently and patiently corrects others in order that I will enable them to repent and come to know the truth. In doing that, they will escape the devil's trap by being taken captive by Me instead of the devil. (II Timothy 2:20-26) Your Father of Peaceful Relationships