Why Read the Bible: To Learn About Exemplars of the Faith

You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules. The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this. Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.

–2 Timothy 2.1-10 (NIV)

The Bible urges us to remember but how often we forget! And to our own peril! That is why it is important for us to keep holding in our minds exemplars of the faith so that we can study and imitate them.

Look at Paul in this passage. He is in prison, chained like a criminal. He is awaiting his execution. Why is he being executed? Because he is a Christian and has confessed Jesus as Lord and not Caesar. States that demand our ultimate loyalty typically do not take kindly to that kind of nonsense. Neither do the various enemies of the cross.

So what does Paul do? Do we see him wringing his hands in despair? Making out his last will and testament? Lamenting over all that he has suffered for Jesus’ sake? Is he bitter and resentful over his situation or over the fact that he is about to give everything he has for the sake of Jesus?

Nope. Instead, we find Paul urgently giving Timothy final instructions about how to remain “in Christ,” about how to ensure that the Gospel is passed down faithfully to others and to future generations. Right up to the end, Paul is concerned about serving his Lord and nothing is going to get in the way of it, not even his impending death.

Either Paul was on to something wonderful or he was a lunatic.

As we have said here before, we all have to decide whether we will follow Jesus and give our lives to and for him. Paul shows us what can happen when we choose Jesus, but he also reminds us why he does it. He knows that the story is going to turn out well despite outward appearances. As our Lord reminded us, don’t be afraid of those who can merely kill the body. After they do so, there is nothing else they can do. Instead, fear the One who can kill both soul and body. Paul is certainly practicing here what Jesus preached.

Think on these things. Spend some time picturing Paul chained in that dark, dank dungeon, awaiting his execution and dictating his final letter to his young protege so that Timothy will also be a faithful minister of the Gospel. Consider why Paul would do that and give him the benefit of the doubt that he was no lunatic. Paul was onto something. See the power at work that was not his. Do you have what Paul had? Do you even want to have what Paul had? How you answer will give you great insight into your worldview and the real state of your affairs.

If you want to know what the Christian life looks like, take note of Paul here. You may not end up in prison for Jesus’ sake. You may not be required to give your mortal life for Jesus’ sake. But following him will be costly and you had best be prepared for that. Yet that isn’t the end of the story. Pay attention to Paul’s faith in the Bigger Picture of life and living. Note the unflinching belief that his faithfulness to Jesus would not go unrequited. And note too Paul’s almost inexplicable joy that flows throughout this epistle. You cannot have that kind of faith and joy without knowing intimately the Source of both. That is the key to Paul’s secret. It can be the key to yours too.