September 24 Daily Devotional

Monthly Theme:

In September we read Paul's letter to Titus and his very last letter, called 2 Timothy. Paul's concern is that the true gospel be preserved and proclaimed by a faithful church.

Bible Reading:

2 Timothy 3:10–13

Bible Text:

You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, ... persecutions, sufferings (2 Tim. 3:10–11).

Devotional:

This is the last letter we have from Paul. In it Paul boldly tells his young pupil Timothy to follow the teacher as well as the teaching. Timothy will be a good disciple, Paul says, if he imitates the characteristics of Paul's career: his teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, and endurance. But if he does, Paul warns, he will also undergo persecution and suffering.

Look closely at Paul's words. First he mentions his teaching. Then he presents two evidences of the truth of his teaching: the life he lived and the suffering he endured.

Any person who has come to the end of his or her road should be able to do this. We should tell our children or other followers: Note the gospel I believed and practiced and the price I paid for doing so. Please, follow my example.

Most parents teach their children how to handle money. Many leave evidence that they have handled it very well. The message is, "Be as smart as your dad and mom, and you'll do all right."

There's much more at stake in the way we handle the gospel. Here too we follow examples and leave road signs for those who come after us. We leave no monuments to ourselves, for we live and die by a gospel of grace! Grateful for those who modeled the Christian life for us, we live in such a way that others may safely trace our steps.

Andrew Kuyvenhoven's Daylight, a modern devotional classic, was originally published in 1994. This edition is copyright by Faith Alive Christian Resources, from whom may be ordered Daylight, the predecessor of Twilight.

A man of many accomplishments, Andrew Kuyvenhoven is probably best known for his contributions to Today (formerly The Family Altar), a widely-used monthly devotional booklet associated with the Back to God Hour. Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations for this edition of Twilight are from the New International Version

Be sure to read the "Preface" and the "Acknowledgments" by the author.