Based on 2 Timothy 1:1-18a (New King James Version)
“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus, to Timothy, a beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day, greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy, when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also. Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day. Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. This you know, that all those in Asia have turned away from me, among whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. The Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain; but when he arrived in Rome, he sought me out very zealously and found me. The Lord grant to him that he may find mercy from the Lord in that Day...”
What is the purpose of God’s Word? Why is it so necessary to not just study It, but also to live It? And the answer is that, from Genesis to Revelation, It is God’s complete counsel to mankind. And if we understand It well, we would understand that it’s not just about getting to God’s salvation only, but also, that it is about growing and being built up in such a way that we get to the likeness of Christ, that it is about fulfilling God’s purpose, that we become like Him. But, for that to happen, we cannot just stay with the simple fact that Christ saved us alone, but also, we must proceed and abide. God has fulfilled everything through Christ, but the work of Christ must be fulfilled in our lives, so that we can also get to the eternal goal, to be ready for what is coming (because it is also very clear in the Scriptures that there is a great continuance in eternity, and that we are not just going to be playing harps, per se).
There are many places in the Word of God besides what we just read where we are exhorted to abide, to continue moving forward. And if it were not so, God would not have expended so much energy through so many people through the centuries to impress that in this blessed Book. The Word of God was inspired by God, but written by men, where many people came to even sacrifice their lives so that this Sacred Book would be completed. It was not easy to compose what we have today so easily and in different forms. It cost many people much sacrifice, much time and dedication, and even pain and blood. Of course, it is all God’s work, but these blessed beings made themselves available to fulfill this hard task. So then, not only does this Book have incredible value because It is God’s complete counsel, but also, because it cost so many people an incalculable effort through the centuries, those who also abided in this blessed faith we have in Almighty God, just as Paul said it: “…whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did…”, meaning those that preceded us in the faith.
Let us see a few of these passages where we are exhorted to not only abide, but also to produce, and even to overcome: “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.” John 15:1-6. “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’ But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’” Matthew 25:14-30. “He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.” Revelation 21:7.
So then, it is very clear through the Word that there must be a continuance in the faith. No one can just stay with the knowledge of salvation alone. And even though God desires to complete His plan in every person, free will still is in effect. God will not force anyone. The Lordship of God over our lives is voluntary, never forced, because it is a Lordship based on love and not on slavery. So then, are you abiding in the Lord in response to His great love and mercy? Lord bless! John