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Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David—that is my gospel, for which I suffer hardship, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, so that they may also obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. The saying is sure: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he will also deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself. Remind them of this, and warn them before God that they are to avoid wrangling over words, which does no good but only ruins those who are listening. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by him, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:8-15)
Even while prisoner, Paul kept working, writing, praying, doing; all that he could for the good of the Kingdom I have to admit that if I have a cold or feel a bit under the weather, to bed I go and it becomes easy to say that I've done all I could given the circumstances. But, Paul could and did, not. He knew that we could not chain or hook the word of God like they tried to do him. The message from the Lord Jesus remained the same, so did the determination of this apostle to continue to proclaim the Truth: Salvation is in Christ Jesus, and with it comes eternal glory. With it, Paul states, come these promises: If we have died with Him, that is, if we have allowed our sin to be crucified on the cross with Him, then fullness of life is ours. If we endure, that is, if we do not give up, we will reign on high with Him. If we deny Jesus, Jesus will deny us; if we live as those with no faith, even so, Jesus remains faithful to us.
The work continues, and with it continues the need for us to do our part. As Paul concludes this passage: "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by Him, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of truth."
Do your best; God will do the rest.
PRAYER: Loving God, move among us, especially me; help me to die with Christ, endure with Him, never deny Him, and ever be faithful to Jesus as Jesus is with me. In His name I pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
