July 16 | Bible in a Year: Psalms 16-17; Acts 20:1-16

News Worth Celebrating

Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him. 2 Timothy 2:11

READ 2 Timothy 2:8-13

For more than two centuries, the hymn placed first in the Methodist hymnbook was “O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing”. Written by Charles Wesley and originally titled “For the Anniversary Day of One’s Conversion”, the song was composed to commemorate the radical renewal sparked by his faith in Jesus. It has eighteen stanzas proclaiming the glory of God’s goodness to those who repent and follow Christ.

Such faith is worth celebrating—and worth sharing. In 2 Timothy 2, Paul encourages Timothy to remain steadfast in his faith and to persevere in sharing it. He noted, “This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal” (2 Timothy 2:8-9). Rather than second-guess his choices, Paul reminds Timothy to remember the good-news message: “Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David” (v. 8 ), came not to rule but to serve and ultimately to die for the sins of the world so that we may have peace with God. Death didn’t win. Jesus rose from the grave.

And just as it set free those who believe, the message itself isn’t bound. “God’s word is not chained,” said Paul (v. 9), not even from places where death seems to have won: prison cells, hospital beds, gravesides. In Christ, there’s hope for all people. That’s news worth celebrating!

By Matt Lucas

SCRIPTURE INSIGHT

As Paul states in today’s text, he’s suffering in chains for his commitment to the gospel of the risen Christ. Yet he endures those things on behalf “of the elect”—those who haven’t yet received the message of Jesus (2 Timothy 2:10). Yet, even in chains, the apostle’s heart seems filled with hope, seeing death as the pathway to true life (v. 11). All his hope is rooted in one overriding principle—the faithfulness of God. He’s faithful to keep His promises always and perfectly (v. 13 ). Even though Paul is restricted and chained, he has confidence that nothing can chain the gospel (v. 9), and it will accomplish its good work in the hearts and minds of people who hear it. As you get deeper into 2 Timothy, it becomes clear just how powerful Paul’s hope is, for not only is he in chains, he’s facing imminent death (4:6).