Pass It On

Scripture:  2 Timothy 2:2 “You have heard me [Paul] teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses.  Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others”

 

Observation:  Paul was raising up a new generation of believers.  Many in Paul’s generation had been eye-witnesses of Christ’s life, had heard His teachings first-hand, had seen – and even received – His miracles.  Many would have witnessed Christ in His resurrected body after the crucifixion.  But Paul’s task, his mission & life’s work, was to ensure this message didn’t stop with the eye-witnesses.  Paul’s work was to ensure future generations would hear the truth & believe in the Saviour.  And Timothy – one of the new generation who had not witnessed Christ on earth first-hand but had heard many eye-witness accounts – was here charged to pass the truth on to others.  And not so that they would only believe for themselves – it was so that they, in turn, could pass the truth on to others after them.

 

Application:  Here is a major thrust of Christianity.  It is not to be held tightly to by the believer – “my ticket to heaven”.  It is also to be passed on that others might come to believe.  I am the product of the faithfulness of previous generations of believers who have passed the truth of the Gospel on to me.  I, too (even though I am not “an evangelist”) have a charge, a responsibility, a mission to pass the faith on to those with whom I come into contact so that future generations might also believe.  Praise God that He gives me His Spirit to prompt and to enable!  My responsibility is obedience to the promptings, an opening of my mouth to allow Him to fill it.  But my faith will wither within me if I hold it to myself and never share it with others.

 

Prayer:  “Pass It on” is Your word for me today, Lord.  Thankyou, Father, that I have been the recipient of the outworking of Your Word to others before me who have “passed it on” to me.  I am so grateful.  Forgive me, Lord, for those times I have not heard or even ignored Your promptings to “pass it on” to others.  I ask that, as You give me opportunities to “pass it on” as I go about my daily life, I will demonstrate a heart open to your Spirit’s promptings to grab those opportunities with both hands and use them for Your glory.  Help me to be one who is always ready to “pass it on”.

 

In Jesus’ name

Amen

 

Sue Otto