Endure Hardship

Why would Apostle Paul have to encourage Timothy to endure hardship?

The reason is he knew firsthand people would oppose the teachings of Jesus Christ. It is interesting to note that Apostle Paul referred to the times when he was writing to Timothy as the last days. Unfortunately, godlessness would be prevalent in those days.

2 Timothy 4:3-5 says, "3For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry."

It seems not much has changed in over 2,000 years. Just tune in to the evening news and it is obvious that America is suffering from a lack of moral clarity. Relativism in our postmodern culture is the worldview of popular opinion. The only thing many people are convinced of is that there is no absolute truth.

If you want to participate in activity that is evil or immoral according to the Holy Scriptures, it is not hard to find somebody who will tell you such behavior is okay. Even professing believers in Jesus bounce from church to church in search of a situation that will make them the most comfortable. High moral standards, faithfulness and service are lost virtues in a society that lives for individual comfort and pleasure.

How do you respond to a culture that rejects truth, and people who live to please their own selfish desires?

You endure hardship and remain patient while speaking the truth in love. You continue to pour out your life while delivering the message of Jesus to people. Remaining faithful to the mission is not an easy task. It is so difficult that many co-laborers had deserted Apostle Paul over the years.

2 Timothy 4:9-10, 14-15 says, "9Do your best to come to me quickly, 10for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. 14Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done. 15You too should be on your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our message."

Are you a patient and persevering person, or do you tend to give up quickly?