PAUL’S FINAL COUNSEL TO TIMOTHY

BY SUSAN SMITH

PAUL WROTE 2 TIMOTHY RIGHT BEFORE HE DIED, IT WAS ALMOST HIS LAST TESTIMONY.

2 TIMOTHY 4:6-7

I AM NOW READY TO BE OFFERED, AND THE TIME OF MY DEPARTURE IS AT HAND.I HAVE FOUGHT A GOOD FIGHT, I HAVE FINISHED MY COURSE, I HAVE KEPT THE FAITH

“”

GOD HATH NOT GIVEN US THE SPIRIT OF FEAR; BUT OF POWER, AND OF LOVE, AND OF A SOUND MIND. BE NOT THOU THEREFORE ASHAMED OF THE TESTIMONY OF OUR LORD

2 TIM. 1:7-8

ALL SCRIPTURE IS GIVEN BY INSPIRATION OF GOD, AND IS PROFITABLE FOR DOCTRINE, FOR REPROOF, FOR CORRECTION, FOR INSTRUCTION IN RIGHTEOUSNESS: THAT THE MAN OF GOD MAY BE PERFECT, THROUGHLY FURNISHED UNTO ALL GOOD WORKS.

• 2 TIM. 3:16-17

PRESIDENT HINCKLEY SAID:• I PICTURE PAUL AS THE OLD, BATTERED TEACHER OF TRUTH. HE WRITES TO

HIS YOUNG FRIEND, IN WHOM HE HAS CONFIDENCE AND FOR WHOM HE HAS A GREAT LOVE…

• IF WE WERE CALLED UPON TO STAND BEFORE GOD AND GIVE AN ACCOUNTING OF OURSELVES, COULD WE DO IT WITHOUT EMBARRASSMENT? THIS IS PAUL’S GREAT PLEA TO HIS YOUNG FRIEND. IT IS HIS PLEA TO EACH OF YOU. HE GOES ON TO SAY, “SHUN PROFANE AND VAIN BABBLINGS: FOR THEY WILL INCREASE UNTO MORE UNGODLINESS”  (2 TIM. 2:16)

• HE IS WARNING AGAINST JUST FOOLING AROUND, WASTING OUR TIME, TALKING ABOUT USELESS THINGS. IDLENESS LEADS TO EVIL.

• HE CONTINUES: “FLEE ALSO YOUTHFUL LUSTS: BUT FOLLOW RIGHTEOUSNESS, FAITH, CHARITY, PEACE, WITH THEM THAT CALL ON THE LORD OUT OF A PURE HEART” (2 TIM. 2:22) Apr 1997, “Converts and

Young Men”

WHAT COUNSEL TOUCHED YOU IN 2 TIMOTHY?

WHAT COUNSEL WOULD YOU LEAVE IF YOU KNEW YOU WERE

GOING TO DIE SOON?