Young People's Group

Continuity

by Mitchell Tan
January 05, 2018

THE EXAMPLE OF TIMOTHY IN HAVING THE SAME SPIRIT OF FAITH

Even as we begin the new year, one important challenge for us to consider is the word “Continuity”. Many of us are excited about what we have learnt at the Youth Conference concerning the same spirit of faith. The challenge for us is to learn to continue in it. One such person who had learnt to have the same spirit of faith as Paul was Timothy.

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

Timothy had learnt to follow the principles and practices of Paul’s life and ministry. He had learnt to abide in the things taught to him by Paul. He is our example of one who had learnt to practise the same spirit of faith.

THE WARNING OF DECEPTION

“But evil men and imposters will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.”
2 Timothy 3:13

Even though Timothy had learnt to carefully follow Paul’s example, Paul was not going to take anything for granted. He warned Timothy again and again in his pastoral epistles about false teachers and falsehood. In these perilous times, there will be those who were described by Paul as evil men who became worse and worse. They were deceivers who sought to deceive others and they themselves were being deceived.

THE CHALLENGE TO CONTINUE FURTHER

“But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them”
2 Timothy 3:14

1. THE COMMAND TO CONTINUE FURTHER IN THE THINGS LEARNT

The word “continue” is the Greek word “meno”. It means “to remain”, “to abide”. It is the same word that the Lord Jesus used to challenge His disciple to abide in Him and His word (John 15:7). This was not something new. Paul had already taught Timothy to take heed to the doctrine and to abide in them (1 Timothy 4:16). In this earlier verse, the Greek word for continue is the word “epimeno”. It is a strengthened form of the Greek word “meno”. Paul used “epimeno” to challenge Timothy at the earlier stage to put in that much more effort to remain in the things he had learnt. This was something Timothy did. He really did get down to following Paul’s doctrine. Paul now commanded Timothy to continue further in the things that he had learnt. He was not taking anything for granted. Young people, to initially abide in the lessons learnt is never an easy thing. Let’s put that much more effort to remain in the truths of the word. And for those who have, let’s not take anything for granted. Let’s continue further in the lessons learnt. Let’s not forget them.

2. THE CERTAINTY TO CONTINUE IN THE THINGS LEARNT

Many of the lessons taught by Paul brought much assurance to Timothy. They were most trustworthy and deeply assuring. Timothy was meant to continue in them with deep certainty. Furthermore, what was taught by Paul to Timothy had a profound effect on him. He personally knew the life and ministry of Paul. He knew that Paul had practised what he had taught. It was proven in his life. As such, there was that certainty to continue in all the things taught to him. Young people, let’s also be certain of the things that had been taught to us. Let’s seek to continue further and remain in them.

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