Sent:  October 10, 2002

Subject:  Advice to Young Adults #2

Ethan & Emily:

Another of my favorite passages for young adults is 1 Timothy 6:2-20.  Timothy was one of Paul’s young assistants on his missionary journeys, and Paul came to think of him as a son.  He deeply loved Timothy and wrote this personal letter to encourage and give direction for Timothy’s ministry in Ephesus.

Here as in 2 Timothy 2, you will find “action” verbs for living that are just as true today and they were in the 1st century:

TEACH these truths and…(v.2b)

ENCOURAGE everyone to obey them. (v.2b)

RUN from all these evil things and…(v.11)

FOLLOW what is right and good. (v.11)

PURSUE a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. (v.11b)

FIGHT the good fight for what we believe. (v.12)

HOLD TIGHTLY to the eternal life that God has given you…(v.12b)

OBEY His (the Lord’s) commands with all purity. (v.14)

TELL those who are rich…not to trust in their money…but in the living God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. (vv.17-18)

GUARD what God has entrusted to you. (v.20)

AVOID Godless, foolish discussion with those who oppose you with their so-called knowledge. (v.20b)

Paul concludes by telling Timothy:  “May God’s grace be with you…” (v.21b)

And that is my benediction to you:  May God’s grace be with you as you “verb”-alize these truths in your lives!

Have a great day.  I love you…
Dad