You Know Me

You Know Me
Words of Faith 8-1-2023
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2023
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
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2 Timothy 3
[10] You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, [11] persecutions, sufferings--what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. [12] In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, [13] while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

There was one more comparison to be made in consideration of discerning the truth. There was one more thought concerning judging who is "right" regarding these "teachers" infiltrating the church. Paul put himself out there. You know all about me.
In case Timothy had any doubt about what Paul was saying or any reservations regarding these strong statements, Paul now called upon Timothy to consider what he had witnessed regarding Paul's life and character.
You know all about my teaching. You know how I live and that my life matches what I teach. You know that my purpose is focused and sincere. You know my faith and patience. You know my love and endurance. You know the trials and struggles that I have been through.
There is a vast truth here. The absolute truth of a life message is found in how it is lived out. If you live close enough to any person, you will see all their warts. Paul had them to be sure, but his calling, faith, and walk with God were pure. Timothy had to see this.
Paul was no snake. He was not a charlatan. He was not the sort to preach one thing and then do another. His walk matched up with his talk. His life declared the Truth of the Gospel more loudly than his words.
And if this was not enough, Timothy also knew that the Lord had rescued Paul from all sorts of persecutions. Timothy witnessed countless miracles in which Paul was spared from death so that the gospel would advance. Was this proof enough?
If not, then the persecutions of Paul served as verification that he was faithful to the Gospel. "Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." This was the truth of life in the first century. Those who lived for Christ were persecuted. Paul was undoubtedly among those most endorsed by the signature of suffering.
Contrastingly, "evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived." The imposters had no endorsement, evidence, or verification except that they would continue to deceive and be deceived.
So look to the life. Look to the reality of faith lived out. Look to the truth when it is under persecution. This is where you find verification.

Father God, help me discern the reality of a walk faithfully lived in You. Help me see what it is to live out faith amid trial and persecution and know the reality of a true Gospel that is true to Jesus. In His Name, Amen.

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2023
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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The Words of Faith devotion is published five days a week by E-mail, excluding Federal holidays. Please feel free to forward this devotion to a friend who might be blessed by this devotion. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2023 Jeffrey D. Hoy. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to forward this copyrighted material or use portions of it with appropriate notation of the source for non-profit purposes.