Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion leads to 2 Timothy 2:23-26.

 

“But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels.  The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.”  2 Timothy 2:23-26.

 

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“The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, …”.  Verses 24 and 25.

 

When we understand “Total Depravity” of man (that is, man is dead in sin, hostile to God, and ensnared to the devil), then this understanding helps us to be kind, able to teach, patient, and gentle, because we understand that unless God grants repentance, our best preaching or best teaching will not lead to change in our audience.  Thus, we don’t try too hard through our own flesh to win souls which leads to over-reaching speculations and quarrels.  

 

Relying on this understanding and the Spirit and power of God, like Paul, we can state:  “And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God.  For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.  I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.”  1 Corinthians 2:1-5.

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Timothy 2:20-22.

 

“²⁰ Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor.  ²¹ Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.  ²² Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.”  2 Timothy 2:20-22.

 

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“Or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for common use?   What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction?   And He did so to make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory, even us, whom He also called, not from among Jews only, but also from among Gentiles.”  Romans 9:21-23.

 

“So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires.”  Romans 9:18.

 

God’s elect are made “vessels of mercy” which are made “for honorable use” such as “gold and silver vessels”.  The non-elect are made “vessels of wrath” which are made “for common use” such as “vessels of wood and of earthenware”.  God’s elect are made “to honor”.  The non-elect are made “to dishonor”. 

 

 

“Thus says the Lord, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches;  but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth;  for I delight in these things,” declares the Lord.”  Jeremiah 9:23-24.

 

 

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.”  Ephesians 1:3-6.

 

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”  Ephesians 2:10.

 

 

“The Lord has made everything for its own purpose,
Even the wicked for the day of evil.”  Proverbs 16:4.

 

Psalm 110:1
“The LORD says to my Lord:  “Sit at My right hand Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”

 

“But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.”  2 Peter 3:7.

 

“The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice;
Let the many islands be glad.
Clouds and thick darkness surround Him;
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.
Fire goes before Him
And burns up His adversaries round about.”  Psalm 97:1-3. 

 

Proverbs 21:15
“The exercise of justice is joy for the righteous, But is terror to the workers of iniquity.”

 

 

Today’s Scripture concludes:  “Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.”  Verse 22.  Likewise, 2 Peter 1:4-11 commands us to apply all diligence and “in our faith” add moral qualities.  “Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you;  for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble;  for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.”  2 Peter 1:10-11.

 

Likewise, the Canons of Dordt (First Head of Doctrine) urge us who do use the means of grace and do seek to act rightly that we “ought not to be alarmed at the mention of reprobation, nor to rank themselves among the reprobate (vessels of wrath), but diligently to persevere in the use of means, and with ardent desires, devoutly and humbly to wait for a season of richer grace.”

                                     

Article 16.  Those who do not yet experience a lively faith in Christ, an assured confidence of soul, peace of conscience, an earnest endeavor after filial obedience, and glorying in God through Christ, efficaciously wrought in them, and do nevertheless persist in the use of the means which God hath appointed for working these graces in us, ought not to be alarmed at the mention of reprobation, nor to rank themselves among the reprobate, but diligently to persevere in the use of means, and with ardent desires, devoutly and humbly to wait for a season of richer grace.  Much less cause have they to be terrified by the doctrine of reprobation, who, though they seriously desire to be turned to God, to please him only, and to be delivered from the body of death, cannot yet reach that measure of holiness and faith to which they aspire;  since a merciful God has promised that he will not quench the smoking flax, nor break the bruised reed.  But this doctrine is justly terrible to those, who, regardless of God and of the Savior Jesus Christ, have wholly given themselves up to the cares of the world, and the pleasures of the flesh, so long as they are not seriously converted to God.

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Timothy 2:14-19.

 

“¹⁴ Remind them of these things, and solemnly charge them in the presence of God not to wrangle about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the hearers.  ¹⁵ Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.  ¹⁶ But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness, ¹⁷ and their talk will spread like gangrene.  Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, ¹⁸ men who have gone astray from the truth saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and they upset the faith of some. ¹⁹ Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness.”  2 Timothy 2:14-19.

 

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“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.”  Verse 15.  Here are three things we can use to help us accurately handle the truth.  

 

 

If we want to understand and teach the meaning of a few verses, then the first thing we should do is consider the whole chapter.  The context of the chapter often simply and clearly explains the meaning of those verses.

 

But, there is also the broader context.  We should also search for other Scripture (outside of the chapter) which will help us understand and teach those verses.  

 

Oh, how we thirst for God and His words!  But, it is astonishing how many Preachers and Teachers think that we would prefer to see themselves and be given their own polluted fables.  Show us God and give us the pure cool water of His words!!

 

“O God, You are my God;  I shall seek You earnestly;
My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You,
In a dry and weary land where there is no water.
2  Thus I have seen You in the sanctuary,
To see Your power and Your glory.
3  Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,
My lips will praise You.
4  So I will bless You as long as I live;
I will lift up my hands in Your name.
5  My soul is satisfied as with marrow and fatness,
And my mouth offers praises with joyful lips.”  Psalm 63:1-5.

 

 

Rev. Ronald Hanko, in his article “A Plea for Creeds”, states the importance of doctrine and creeds (also known as confessions).  His article in full can be read at the following link – http://www.prca.org/articles/plea_for_creeds.html

                                   

Here is a brief quote from his article explaining what happens when a denomination or church dismisses or minimizes the importance of doctrine:  ” …  by cutting herself off from the church of past, the church today says in effect that every generation must start all over in its searching of the Scriptures and pursuit of the truth.  Thus she sets herself an impossible task – a task that is either set aside as too great so that there is little knowledge of the truth in the church, or which leaves her no time for other things.”

‘This is well-stated by the Presbyterian author, G.I. Williamson:

The Bible contains a great wealth of information.  It isn’t easy to master it all – in fact, no one has ever mastered it completely.  It would therefore be foolish for us to try to do it on our own, starting from scratch.  We would be ignoring all the study of the Word of God that other people have done down through the centuries.  That is exactly why we have creeds.  They are the product of many centuries of Bible study by a great company of believers.  They are a kind of spiritual “road map” of the teaching of the Bible, already worked out and proved by others before us.”

 

“But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness,”  Verse 16. 

 

It is disturbing when we hear a Preacher or Teacher give political views in a preaching or teaching venue.  Maybe, sometimes it is necessary, but it is still disturbing, and the detriments often exceed the benefits.  The Preacher or Teacher may be deluded into thinking that think he is wise and that his listeners thirst for his political opinions, but it is often just worldly and empty chatter.  Although “worldly and empty chatter” encompasses more than just political views, the temptation for Preachers and Teachers to engage in it now, in this time of the presidential campaign, calls for this focus.

 

“… Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness.”  Verse 19. 

 

Preachers and Teachers may think highly of themselves as if they would never engage in wickedness, but they need to be reminded:  “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall.”  1 Corinthians 10:12 

 

More positively, “… like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior;”  1 Peter 1:15

 

It is amazing the amount of Scriptures that emphasize the importance of conduct in accurately handling truth.  Here are some more Scriptures. 

 

Philippians 1:27
“Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;”

 

1 Timothy 4:12
“Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.”

 

Hebrews 13:7
“Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you;  and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.”

 

James 3:13
“Who among you is wise and understanding?  Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.”

 

 

It is humbling for us to consider all of this, particularly how often our conduct falls short of what it should be.  “Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a good conscience, desiring to conduct ourselves honorably in all things.”  Hebrews 13:18

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Timothy 2:8-13.

 

“Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel, for which I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal;  but the word of God is not imprisoned.  For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory.  It is a trustworthy statement: 

 

God’s purpose according to His choice stands, not because of works but because of Him who calls.  Romans 9:11.  “For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”  So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.”  Romans 9:11-15. 

 

“You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you.”  John 15:16.

 

And, it makes logical sense.  If man is faithless, dead in sin, and hostile to God (as summarized by “Total Depravity”, the “T” of “TULIP”), then man cannot provide any quality nor condition which will motivate God to elect him. 

 

 

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.  In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved (Christ).”  Ephesians 1:3-6. 

 

 

Article 8.  For this was the sovereign counsel, and most gracious will and purpose of God the Father, that the quickening and saving efficacy of the most precious death of his Son should extend to all the elect, for bestowing upon them alone the gift of justifying faith, thereby to bring them infallibly to salvation:  that is, it was the will of God, that Christ by the blood of the cross, whereby he confirmed the new covenant, should effectually redeem out of every people, tribe, nation, and language, all those, and those only, who were from eternity chosen to salvation, and given to him by the Father;  that he should confer upon them faith, which together with all the other saving gifts of the Holy Spirit, he purchased for them by his death; should purge them from all sin, both original and actual, whether committed before or after believing;  and having faithfully preserved them even to the end, should at last bring them free from every spot and blemish to the enjoyment of glory in his own presence forever.

Article 9.  This purpose proceeding from everlasting love towards the elect, has from the beginning of the world to this day been powerfully accomplished, and will henceforward still continue to be accomplished, notwithstanding all the ineffectual opposition of the gates of hell, so that the elect in due time may be gathered together into one, and that there never may be wanting a church composed of believers, the foundation of which is laid in the blood of Christ, which may steadfastly love, and faithfully serve him as their Savior, who as a bridegroom for his bride, laid down his life for them upon the cross, and which may celebrate his praises here and through all eternity.

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Timothy 2:3-4.

 

“Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.  No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.”  2 Timothy 2:3-4.

 

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The life of a Christian is described in different ways in the next section of Scripture.  In today’s Scripture, the life of a Christian is described as “a good soldier of Christ Jesus”.  A Christian, like a good soldier, stays focused on his service and mission, endures suffering, and does not become entangled in the affairs of everyday life. 

 

A Christian, like a soldier, may feel tempted to go “AWOL” (absent without leave).  But, Peter, like Paul, warns us to not become entangled on outside affairs:  “For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first.  For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment handed on to them.  It has happened to them according to the true proverb, “ A dog returns to its own vomit,” and, “A sow, after washing, returns to wallowing in the mire.”  2 Peter 2:20-21.  

 

 

We have the perfect Commander in our Lord Jesus Christ.  Like a good military commander provides his soldiers with all the food, clothing, and armaments that the soldier needs, Christ supplies all the provisions that we need.  Philippians 4:19.  Like a good military commander makes sure that his soldiers are assigned jobs that they can do, Christ gives us spiritual gifts so that we can do the service assigned to us.  Romans 12:4-8.  Like a good military commander puts his soldiers in a position to win, Christ puts us in a situation to win.  1 Corinthians 15:57.

 

“but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.”  1 Corinthians 15:57-58.

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Timothy 2:1-2.

 

“You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.  The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”  2 Timothy 2:1-2.

 

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“For by grace you have been saved through faith;  and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;  not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”  Ephesians 2:8-9.  But, to “be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” requires more than a light general consent to the truth of salvation by grace.  

 

Today’s Scripture requires us to study this truth of salvation by grace.  Just as we do not become physically strong by no or little exercise, we do not become strong in grace by no or little study.  “Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.”  Acts 17:11

 

We study the elements of salvation by grace which are “Total Depravity” (which establishes the need for grace), “Unconditional Election”, “Limited Atonement”, “Irresistible Grace”, and “Preservation of the Saints”:  in a word “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism also known as “the doctrines of grace”.

 

Today’s Scripture also produces a recognition that salvation by grace is not an isolated “running wild” doctrine.  But rather, it is a solid pillar of truth which has been entrusted to faithful men who were able and did in fact teach others also. 

 

To refute heresy and so that each generation does not have to “reinvent the wheel”, these faithful men produced the Canons of Dordt which focuses on these doctrines of grace.  Click here: The Canons of Dordt  And, there are also other Reformed creeds which also cover these doctrines of grace but maybe with less focus and less comprehensive and systematic point by point description than was done in the Canons of Dordt.  These other Reformed creeds include but are not limited to the Belgic Confession, the Heidelberg Catechism, and the Westminister Larger Catechism.

                            

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Timothy 1:15-18.

 

“You are aware of the fact that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes.  The Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains;  but when he was in Rome, he eagerly searched for me and found me— the Lord grant to him to find mercy from the Lord on that day—and you know very well what services he rendered at Ephesus.”  2 Timothy 1:15-18.

 

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Paul needed refreshment and encouragement.  “You are aware of the fact that all who are in Asia turned away from me”.

 

Onesiphorus provided refreshment and encouragement to Paul.  “The Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains;  but when he was in Rome, he eagerly searched for me and found me— the Lord grant to him to find mercy from the Lord on that day—and you know very well what services he rendered at Ephesus.” 

 

We tend to think of our Heroes of the Faith whether it be Apostle Paul or our own Preacher or Teacher as not needing any refreshment or encouragement.  But, they need it, and God uses us to provide it to them.

 

Yes, Paul endured suffered.  The preceding verses make that clear.  “Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God,”  2 Timothy 1:8.  “For this reason I also suffer these things, …”  2 Timothy 1:12. 

 

But, God provided refreshment and encouragement and other service to Paul through Onesiphorus as today’s Scripture makes clear.

 

Today’s Scripture motivates us to provide refreshment and encouragement and other service to other saints within our church. 

 

 

First of all, let us search out and find those saints who most need it.  We may be in a worship service, and someone comes to mind as needing a word of encouragement from us.  Let us make a “bee line” to them after church to encourage them before they humbly leave.

 

Second, we receive prayer requests all the time.  Let us promptly compose a prayer within an email or card and send it to the person who sent us the prayer request (or directly to the person who needs the prayer). 

 

Third, I don’t do this, but it is a great idea and I am so pleased to see others do it.  When someone is sick or suffering, bring them a hot plate of food.

 

Fourth, when someone receives bad news (like Paul was in chains), let us not avoid them.  Rather, let us draw close to them and hug them.  There are those who have a gift of putting suffering into proportion and create even a reason to bring a small laugh to them.  I love that!

 

Fifth, let us use our own spiritual gifts and serve as Onesiphorus did in Ephesus.  If we do our own jobs well, then it is one less thing that our leaders need to worry about.  Earlier in this chapter, we read Paul exhort Timothy:  “For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.”  2 Timothy 1:6.

 

In conclusion, this is certainly not an exhaustive list.  It is just five specific things we can do, “and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another;  and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”  Hebrews 10:24-25.

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Timothy 1:12-14.

 

“¹² For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed;  for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.  ¹³ Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.  ¹⁴ Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you.”  2 Timothy 1:12-14.

 

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Our Faithful Guard is God.  Notice the three descriptions in today’s Scripture.  Our Faithful Guard is “He (Who) is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.”  Verse 12.  Our Faithful Guard is Christ Jesus and “the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.”  Verse 13.  Our Faithful Guard is “the Holy Spirit who dwells in us”.  Verse 14.

 

We can entrust the treasure of our salvation to God, our Faithful Guard.  “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;  and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.  My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all;  and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.”  John 10:27-29.

 

We can entrust the treasure of our “sound words” (doctrine – verse 13) to God, our Faithful Guard.  “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.”  John 14:26.  “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth;  for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak;  and He will disclose to you what is to come.”  John 16:13

                             

We can entrust the treasure of our work to God, our Faithful Guard.  “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 1:6.

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Timothy 1:8-11.

 

“Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering 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 granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity, but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher.”  2 Timothy 1:8-11.

 

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Today’s Scripture defines the Gospel “according to the power of God” and “according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity”.  And, it contrasts this true Gospel with  false gospels based “according to our works”.

 

 

An Arminian “man-centered” doctrine which teaches conditional election based on the condition supplied by man, a grace resistable by man, and a possible fall from grace dependent on whether man maintains his own faith until death?

 

 

A Reformed “God-centered” doctrine which teaches “Unconditional Election”, “Irresistible Grace”, and “Preservation of the Saints”, all points solely powered by God within “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation?