Young People's Group

But You Have Carefully Followed (VI)

by Mitchell Tan
November 30, 2017

“MY DOCTRINE, MANNER OF LIFE, PURPOSE, FAITH, LONGSUFFERING …”

Paul’s string of principles and practices that defined him is more than just a list to follow after. These principles and practices are meant to be built one upon another.

“But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering”
2 Timothy 3:10

Firstly, Paul wrote about how Timothy had carefully followed his doctrine. These were the Biblical teachings that Paul had taught him. Secondly, this doctrine from God’s word guided and influenced all that he did. It was from the truth of His word that he was able to have a definite manner of life. Thirdly, he found tremendous purpose as he practised his manner of life. And he was not disobedient to it. Fourthly, in order to fulfil his purpose, he needed to have a historical faith. It was his faith in the Lord that drove him on. Fifthly, it was out of this faith that he learned to be longsuffering. Our challenge is to learn to be longsuffering in all that we do as Paul and Timothy did.

PAUL LEARNING TO BE LONGSUFFERING

1. THE LORD JESUS AS HIS GREATEST EXAMPLE

“However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.”
1 Timothy 1:16

The apostle Paul learnt longsuffering from the best person ever, the Lord Jesus Himself. He was most patient and gracious towards him. He had blasphemed against the Lord Jesus and vigorously persecuted Christians. He had done many misdeeds and had made many missteps. And yet the Lord was most merciful towards him and granted him great grace. Our Saviour demonstrated this in the way He saved Paul and gave him a second chance in life. Paul became a pattern for others to see how longsuffering the Lord can be and how they too can come to believe in Him for everlasting life.

2. THE HOLY SPIRIT WORKING IN HIS LIFE

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering”
Galatians 5:22

The Holy Spirit also worked in the life and ministry of Paul, producing longsuffering towards others. The fruit of the Spirit includes the idea of being longsuffering. The Holy Spirit was teaching him and changing him as he went about serving the Lord. In the initial years of his service to the Lord, there were moments where he was not as longsuffering. Paul had an angry dispute with Barnabas over Mark and they decided to go their separate ways (Acts 15:38-39). His sharp contention with Barnabas was most unfortunate. As he continued to serve, he learnt to set aside his passions and his desires. He walked in the Spirit and became someone who was most patient and gracious.

LEARNING TO BE LONGSUFFERING TOWARDS EACH OTHER

Paul became a pattern of what it means to be longsuffering towards others. Timothy had also learnt to follow his example. Our challenge is to also be longsuffering in how we relate to each other. Paul wrote of how we are to walk worthy of the calling with all lowliness, gentleness and with longsuffering (Ephesians 4:1-2). Let’s learn to be longsuffering as the apostle Paul did in life and ministry.

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