“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2Tim 3:12).
If you live near the buckle of the Bible belt like me, you see Scripture everywhere. On coffee mugs with pretty pictures of Bambi which quote the 42nd Psalm. Bumper stickers drop Paul’s words to the Romans about God works all things together for His followers. How about patches of a football player’s eye black with “Phil” on one side and “4:13” on the other.
Before you think this is some cranky rant shouting at kids to get off his lawn, hear me out. Too many times we get super picky when it comes to the verses we wrap our arms around. Don’t get me wrong, God inspires every single thing in Scripture. But some parts of the Bible are more encouraging or applicable than others.
On the other hand, there are passages we simply ignore because we don’t like what they say. We play a biblical version of “what I don’t know can’t hurt me.” They involve the pain, disappointment, and difficulty that comes along with following Jesus. You don’t find these verses on decorative nicknacks at LifeWay. But they do speak honestly about trusting in Christ on this side of eternity.
That’s exactly the kind of truth Paul writes here to Timothy. “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (v12). Let’s be honest. Know anybody living in 21st Century suburban America claiming this as their life verse? The apostle pulls no punches. Following Jesus is no place for bumper sticker belief or coffee mug Christianity.
If anybody knows that trusting in our Savior isn’t a lifetime supply of rainbows, unicorns, and Skittles, it’s our man Paul. In one of his letters to the Corinthian church, he goes down a laundry list of hard times (2Cor 11:23-28). Prison? Check. Beatings? Check. Floggings? Check. Canings? Check. Stoning? Check. Shipwrecked? Check. Robbed? Sleepless nights? Hungry? Thirsty? Stifling heat? Freezing cold? Check, check, check, check, check, and check.
As a matter of fact, the apostle once again sits behind bars in Rome as he writes to his spiritual son (2Tim 1:16; 2:9). But this time it’s different. Very different. Paul is on Death Row and knows his date with the executioner is right around the corner (2Tim 4:6-7). He would LOVE to see Tim one last time if he can get there soon (2Tim 4:9, 21). Yeah, this is no time for bumper sticker belief or coffee mug Christianity.
In his final letter, the man from Tarsus encourages Timothy one last time for his dedication over the years. Tim is a good follower who has chosen to follow a good follower of Jesus (2Tim 3:10-11). He flips through his personal scrapbook of suffering he’s endured in places like Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. But each time, Jesus came to his rescue.
Paul then cuts to the chase. He tells Tim and everybody else who gets their hands on this little letter the hard truth of being a disciple. “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (v12). In other words, what’s happened to the apostle isn’t the exception but the norm. Not just a few. Not just those who live in Third World countries. Not just those in Muslim nations. “All” (v12). Pretty sure that covers everybody who’s placed their faith in Jesus. You. Me. Us. Them. “All” (v12).
Specifically, he’s talking about every single one of those folks “who desire to live a godly life” (v12). Check out how a couple of other translations describe these people. According to the Amplified Bible, they’re “all who delight in pursuing righteousness and are determined to live godly lives in Christ Jesus” (v12 AMP). In other words, these are believers who can’t think of anything better than chasing after God’s goodness and living fully obedient lives.
You’re gonna love how the Message puts it. It’s “anyone who wants to live all out for Christ” (v12 The Message). They’re all for Jesus. They’re shoving all their chips in. They’ve doubled down on following Christ. They’re not holding anything back. Am I all in? Am I committing every part of my life to my Savior? He’s not just looking for a couple hours on Sunday mornings. He wants it all. Jesus certainly held nothing back for you and me. He doubled down on us. Let’s double down on Him.
Just what does it mean to “live a godly life in Christ Jesus” (v12)? The key to unlock the idea of all in is the little word “godly.” In the original Greek, Paul uses the term ευσεβως (Gr. eusebos), which you can translate as piously or devotedly. You might get the picture of some guy in a brown robe living in total silence with other brothers in a monastery. Call it Monk Life. While it certainly can mean that, it certainly can and should every other person who has placed their trust in the resurrected Rabbi from Galilee.
“Godly” (Gr. ευσεβως/eusebos) literally means “good (ευ-/eu-) worship (-σεβως/-sebos).” This may come as a shock to some of you, but worship isn’t just singing songs on Sunday. It’s a lot more than putting our hands in the air like we really do care while belting out the latest tune from Christ Tomlin. The good worship Paul is telling Tim about is not limited to a rockin’ worship band.
The good worship of a godly life flows out of a grateful heart and into a lifestyle of grace. Good worship is putting God’s truth into practice. Good worship is living what we say we believe. Good worship is putting others ahead of ourselves. We don’t just know God’s commands, we DO God’s commands! The big idea here? We may know all the words and sing louder than anybody without a mic, but that’s only the “appearance of godliness” (2Tim 3:5).
Doubling down on a godly life is only possible “in Christ Jesus” (v12). This is clearly one of Paul’s favorite ideas! He uses some form of the phrase a grand total of…drum roll, please…164 times in his various letters!! The apostle mentions it specifically in every epistle he writes. Every. Single. One. So yeah, it’s kind of a big deal. John Piper calls being in Jesus a stupendous reality. There’s no better way of stating our supernatural connection to Christ than the phrase “in Christ Jesus” (v12).
The apostle drops “in Christ Jesus” seven times just in this letter. He kicks off this note by saying his role as an apostle is based on “the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus” (2Tim 1:1). God showered us with His “grace, which He gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began” (2Tim 1:9). Paul encourages us to always remember “the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus” (2Tim 1:13). We’re “strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus” (2Tim 2:1). The apostle pours his entire life so that others “may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus” (2Tim 2:10). A little later, Paul encourages Tim to keep digging into God’s Word “which is able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” (2Tim 3:15).
Everything we have from God is because we’re in Christ. We’re in Christ when we place our trust in Christ. We trust in Him because He can do for us what we could never do for ourselves. Can I live perfectly obedient to God’s commands? No, but Jesus did. He suffers the death on a cross for my disobedience and rebellion that I should have died. If that’s not enough, He rises to a glorious resurrection life I don’t deserve. That’s just a snapshot of what it means to be “in Christ Jesus” (v12).
But doubling down on Jesus comes with a cost. Paul makes it clear to Tim that those who go all in on Him “will be persecuted” (v12). Can we be honest about what kind of persecution the apostle’s talking about? Persecution is NOT someone wishing you “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas.” It’s NOT the portrayal of a Christian on a sitcom as narrow-minded and the butt of ever joke like Ned Flanders on “The Simpsons.” It’s NOT about being invited to a gay wedding.
Let’s take a little closer look at the term Paul uses here. To be “persecuted” (Gr. διωκω/dioko) literally means to pursue with hostility, chase, run after, or hunt down. It’s all about intensity and relentless effort. It’s systematic oppression of someone. Take the apostle who’s writing this letter. If there’s anyone who knows what persecution looks like, it’s our buddy Paul.
This part of the letter is all about Tim looking back on his mentor’s “persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured” (2Tim 3:11). Paul wants him and every other follower of Jesus to have their eyes wide open to expect no less themselves. Doubling down on our Savior will make you a target for persecution.
Real persecution of believers isn’t a so-called “war on Christmas.” It’s the bloodbath our brothers and sisters are experiencing all around the world at the hands of Boko Haram, ISIS, and the government of North Korea. That’s the kind persecution Paul knows firsthand in the First Century. Paul tells folks in Thessalonica not to be caught off guard when you suddenly become a target for doubling down on Jesus. “For you yourselves know that we are destined for this” (1Th 3:3).
It’s exactly what Jesus told His own team. Since the world hated Christ, why should we expect anything different? “If they persecuted (Gr. διωκω/dioko) Me, they will also persecute (Gr. διωκω/dioko) you” (Jn 15:20). Check this out. He actually says it’s a blessing. Yeah, you read that right. A blessing! “Blessed are those who are persecuted (Gr. διωκω/dioko) for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute (Gr. διωκω/dioko) you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted (Gr. διωκω/dioko) the prophets who were before you” (Mt 5:10-12).
Just before His own execution, Jesus warns His closest followers that really hard times are right around the corner. But whatever happens, they shouldn’t give up. “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). It’s okay to check out the end of God’s Story. Spoiler Alert! Jesus wins!! And because He wins, we win!!
Doubling down on our Savior connects us with Christ no matter how bad things get. David sings about how our Shepherd sticks right by our side anytime we walk through Death Valley (Ps 23:4). And there’s an unbelievable payoff if we keep walking. Following our Lord means that “we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him” (Rom 8:17). Or as Paul tells Tim a little earlier, “if we endure, we will also reign with Him” (2Tim 2:12)
Don’t buy into a phony faith where nothing bad ever happens to folks who follow Christ. There’s just one little problem with that idea. The Bible! Don’t get suckered into a bumper sticker belief. Don’t settle for a coffee mug Christianity. Following Jesus can be hard. Following Jesus will be hard. But following Jesus will be worth it. You see, doubling down on Christ is really no gamble at all.
If you live near the buckle of the Bible belt like me, you see Scripture everywhere. On coffee mugs with pretty pictures of Bambi which quote the 42nd Psalm. Bumper stickers drop Paul’s words to the Romans about God works all things together for His followers. How about patches of a football player’s eye black with “Phil” on one side and “4:13” on the other.
Before you think this is some cranky rant shouting at kids to get off his lawn, hear me out. Too many times we get super picky when it comes to the verses we wrap our arms around. Don’t get me wrong, God inspires every single thing in Scripture. But some parts of the Bible are more encouraging or applicable than others.
On the other hand, there are passages we simply ignore because we don’t like what they say. We play a biblical version of “what I don’t know can’t hurt me.” They involve the pain, disappointment, and difficulty that comes along with following Jesus. You don’t find these verses on decorative nicknacks at LifeWay. But they do speak honestly about trusting in Christ on this side of eternity.
That’s exactly the kind of truth Paul writes here to Timothy. “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (v12). Let’s be honest. Know anybody living in 21st Century suburban America claiming this as their life verse? The apostle pulls no punches. Following Jesus is no place for bumper sticker belief or coffee mug Christianity.
If anybody knows that trusting in our Savior isn’t a lifetime supply of rainbows, unicorns, and Skittles, it’s our man Paul. In one of his letters to the Corinthian church, he goes down a laundry list of hard times (2Cor 11:23-28). Prison? Check. Beatings? Check. Floggings? Check. Canings? Check. Stoning? Check. Shipwrecked? Check. Robbed? Sleepless nights? Hungry? Thirsty? Stifling heat? Freezing cold? Check, check, check, check, check, and check.
As a matter of fact, the apostle once again sits behind bars in Rome as he writes to his spiritual son (2Tim 1:16; 2:9). But this time it’s different. Very different. Paul is on Death Row and knows his date with the executioner is right around the corner (2Tim 4:6-7). He would LOVE to see Tim one last time if he can get there soon (2Tim 4:9, 21). Yeah, this is no time for bumper sticker belief or coffee mug Christianity.
In his final letter, the man from Tarsus encourages Timothy one last time for his dedication over the years. Tim is a good follower who has chosen to follow a good follower of Jesus (2Tim 3:10-11). He flips through his personal scrapbook of suffering he’s endured in places like Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. But each time, Jesus came to his rescue.
Paul then cuts to the chase. He tells Tim and everybody else who gets their hands on this little letter the hard truth of being a disciple. “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (v12). In other words, what’s happened to the apostle isn’t the exception but the norm. Not just a few. Not just those who live in Third World countries. Not just those in Muslim nations. “All” (v12). Pretty sure that covers everybody who’s placed their faith in Jesus. You. Me. Us. Them. “All” (v12).
Specifically, he’s talking about every single one of those folks “who desire to live a godly life” (v12). Check out how a couple of other translations describe these people. According to the Amplified Bible, they’re “all who delight in pursuing righteousness and are determined to live godly lives in Christ Jesus” (v12 AMP). In other words, these are believers who can’t think of anything better than chasing after God’s goodness and living fully obedient lives.
You’re gonna love how the Message puts it. It’s “anyone who wants to live all out for Christ” (v12 The Message). They’re all for Jesus. They’re shoving all their chips in. They’ve doubled down on following Christ. They’re not holding anything back. Am I all in? Am I committing every part of my life to my Savior? He’s not just looking for a couple hours on Sunday mornings. He wants it all. Jesus certainly held nothing back for you and me. He doubled down on us. Let’s double down on Him.
Just what does it mean to “live a godly life in Christ Jesus” (v12)? The key to unlock the idea of all in is the little word “godly.” In the original Greek, Paul uses the term ευσεβως (Gr. eusebos), which you can translate as piously or devotedly. You might get the picture of some guy in a brown robe living in total silence with other brothers in a monastery. Call it Monk Life. While it certainly can mean that, it certainly can and should every other person who has placed their trust in the resurrected Rabbi from Galilee.
“Godly” (Gr. ευσεβως/eusebos) literally means “good (ευ-/eu-) worship (-σεβως/-sebos).” This may come as a shock to some of you, but worship isn’t just singing songs on Sunday. It’s a lot more than putting our hands in the air like we really do care while belting out the latest tune from Christ Tomlin. The good worship Paul is telling Tim about is not limited to a rockin’ worship band.
The good worship of a godly life flows out of a grateful heart and into a lifestyle of grace. Good worship is putting God’s truth into practice. Good worship is living what we say we believe. Good worship is putting others ahead of ourselves. We don’t just know God’s commands, we DO God’s commands! The big idea here? We may know all the words and sing louder than anybody without a mic, but that’s only the “appearance of godliness” (2Tim 3:5).
Doubling down on a godly life is only possible “in Christ Jesus” (v12). This is clearly one of Paul’s favorite ideas! He uses some form of the phrase a grand total of…drum roll, please…164 times in his various letters!! The apostle mentions it specifically in every epistle he writes. Every. Single. One. So yeah, it’s kind of a big deal. John Piper calls being in Jesus a stupendous reality. There’s no better way of stating our supernatural connection to Christ than the phrase “in Christ Jesus” (v12).
The apostle drops “in Christ Jesus” seven times just in this letter. He kicks off this note by saying his role as an apostle is based on “the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus” (2Tim 1:1). God showered us with His “grace, which He gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began” (2Tim 1:9). Paul encourages us to always remember “the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus” (2Tim 1:13). We’re “strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus” (2Tim 2:1). The apostle pours his entire life so that others “may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus” (2Tim 2:10). A little later, Paul encourages Tim to keep digging into God’s Word “which is able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” (2Tim 3:15).
Everything we have from God is because we’re in Christ. We’re in Christ when we place our trust in Christ. We trust in Him because He can do for us what we could never do for ourselves. Can I live perfectly obedient to God’s commands? No, but Jesus did. He suffers the death on a cross for my disobedience and rebellion that I should have died. If that’s not enough, He rises to a glorious resurrection life I don’t deserve. That’s just a snapshot of what it means to be “in Christ Jesus” (v12).
But doubling down on Jesus comes with a cost. Paul makes it clear to Tim that those who go all in on Him “will be persecuted” (v12). Can we be honest about what kind of persecution the apostle’s talking about? Persecution is NOT someone wishing you “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas.” It’s NOT the portrayal of a Christian on a sitcom as narrow-minded and the butt of ever joke like Ned Flanders on “The Simpsons.” It’s NOT about being invited to a gay wedding.
Let’s take a little closer look at the term Paul uses here. To be “persecuted” (Gr. διωκω/dioko) literally means to pursue with hostility, chase, run after, or hunt down. It’s all about intensity and relentless effort. It’s systematic oppression of someone. Take the apostle who’s writing this letter. If there’s anyone who knows what persecution looks like, it’s our buddy Paul.
This part of the letter is all about Tim looking back on his mentor’s “persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured” (2Tim 3:11). Paul wants him and every other follower of Jesus to have their eyes wide open to expect no less themselves. Doubling down on our Savior will make you a target for persecution.
Real persecution of believers isn’t a so-called “war on Christmas.” It’s the bloodbath our brothers and sisters are experiencing all around the world at the hands of Boko Haram, ISIS, and the government of North Korea. That’s the kind persecution Paul knows firsthand in the First Century. Paul tells folks in Thessalonica not to be caught off guard when you suddenly become a target for doubling down on Jesus. “For you yourselves know that we are destined for this” (1Th 3:3).
It’s exactly what Jesus told His own team. Since the world hated Christ, why should we expect anything different? “If they persecuted (Gr. διωκω/dioko) Me, they will also persecute (Gr. διωκω/dioko) you” (Jn 15:20). Check this out. He actually says it’s a blessing. Yeah, you read that right. A blessing! “Blessed are those who are persecuted (Gr. διωκω/dioko) for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute (Gr. διωκω/dioko) you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted (Gr. διωκω/dioko) the prophets who were before you” (Mt 5:10-12).
Just before His own execution, Jesus warns His closest followers that really hard times are right around the corner. But whatever happens, they shouldn’t give up. “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). It’s okay to check out the end of God’s Story. Spoiler Alert! Jesus wins!! And because He wins, we win!!
Doubling down on our Savior connects us with Christ no matter how bad things get. David sings about how our Shepherd sticks right by our side anytime we walk through Death Valley (Ps 23:4). And there’s an unbelievable payoff if we keep walking. Following our Lord means that “we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him” (Rom 8:17). Or as Paul tells Tim a little earlier, “if we endure, we will also reign with Him” (2Tim 2:12)
Don’t buy into a phony faith where nothing bad ever happens to folks who follow Christ. There’s just one little problem with that idea. The Bible! Don’t get suckered into a bumper sticker belief. Don’t settle for a coffee mug Christianity. Following Jesus can be hard. Following Jesus will be hard. But following Jesus will be worth it. You see, doubling down on Christ is really no gamble at all.
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