Called to be Holy
Opening Prayer
Father, thank You for the indescribable gift of Jesus. Jesus, thank You that You poured out Your life to death.
Read 2 Timothy 1:8-18
[8] So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. [9] He has saved us and called us to a holy life-not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, [10] but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. [11] And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. [12] That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day. [13] What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. [14] Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you-guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. [15] You know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes. [16] May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains. [17] On the contrary, when he was in Rome, he searched hard for me until he found me. [18] May the Lord grant that he will find mercy from the Lord on that day! You know very well in how many ways he helped me in Ephesus. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Are you satisfied with where you are in your journey of faith?What an incredible thing it is to be saved! We are saved from a life of sin and death; we are saved by the grace that comes through Jesus Christ; and we are saved to live a life for him! As this passage reminds us, none of this is because of what we have done (9). We do not deserve to be saved–it is a gift.Yet the salvation message is not the end of the story. In fact, it is only the beginning. We are saved and “called…to a holy life” (9). It’s not a case of “I’m saved; now I can do what I want.” Instead it’s “I’m saved; my life is God’s. What does he want?” It all sounds fine, but how do we begin to do this? Know in whom you believe (12). This is more than simply mental assent. This is about putting your trust in Jesus and growing closer to him. Keep the pattern of sound teaching (13). Grow in your understanding of God’s Word. Guard what you have received (14). Seek the Holy Spirit’s help to walk in obedience.
Apply
Reflect on where you are at right now. Are you seeking to live a holy life?
Closing prayer
Lord, help me to know You, to keep my life in line with Your Word, and to guard the truth I have received.
Click here to sign up to receive the EXTRAs via email each quarter.
© 2024 Scripture Union U.S.A. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited.
Discovery is published in the USA under license from Scripture Union England and Wales, Trinity House, Opal Court, Opal Drive, Fox Milne, Milton Keynes, MK15 0DF.